Welcome to the Freedom Springs Triathlon!

The 36th annual sprint distance triathlon will be held at the beautiful Blue Springs Recreation Park, 5461 Blue Springs Road, Marianna, FL on Saturday, July 2nd, 2022.

This is a sprint triathlon:

0.25 swim, 10 mile bike, and 5K run.

SWIM - 0.25 mile - takes place in spring water. (68F, wetsuits are allowed, swim caps optional)

BIKE - 10 miles - is a fast, fun, out and back ride.

RUN - 5K = 3.1mile - starts on a road and takes you onto a clay road.

We are a patriotic bunch and we like to celebrate July 4th weekend in style. We get up very early, we stand for The National Anthem and we swim, bike & run!

Looking back ...

Race T-shirt 2021

See 2021 results here

Finisher Medal 2021

Blue Springs Park in Marianna, FL sustained severe damage during Hurricane Michael in October 2018 and was not be able to hold the race in 2019. After more than 30 years, the race was forced to take a break. And then 2020 came. Remember that?

Covid-19 tried to take some of the fun away from us but we are resilient! Straight out of quarantine - we raced.

2020 was challenging, to say at least but he 34th annual sprint distance triathlon was held at the beautiful Blue Springs Recreation Park, 5461 Blue Springs Road, Marianna, FL on Saturday, July 4th, 2020.

Congratulations to all finishers and very special congratulations to first-time triathletes!

Thank you for coming out to race. Thank you for respecting physical distancing, following announcements and just being the greatest bunch of triathletes.

We saw hundreds of smiles, good sportsmanship, and great celebration of America's independence.

Local news reported on the race: WMBB News 13

Random Things to Know

This is a sprint triathlon:

0.25 swim, 10 mile bike, and 5K run.

SWIM - 0.25 mile - takes place in a spring water. (68F, wetsuits are allowed, swim caps optional)

BIKE - 10 miles - is a fast, fun, out and back ride.

RUN - 5K = 3.1mile - starts on a road and takes you onto a clay road.

> This race is not sanctioned by USA Triathlon.

> This race is great for first-time triathletes, beginners and all-kinds-of-goofy-bikes.

> Experienced athletes will have a fantastic training race. If you are serious triathlete, as long as you don't take everything super seriously, you will have a great race. Just come to have fun.

> See here how to wear your timing chip.

> See all maps here.

> We can guarantee everyone the t-shirt they signed up for as long as they registered on Sunday, June 12th.

We have to place our order with the printing company first thing on Monday morning, June 13th, to have them on time for the event. We will order plenty extra but we cannot guarantee you will get the size you want if you sign up after June 12th... we didn't know you were coming to race! So, if you like race t-shirts, sign up ahead of time!

> Please - no alcohol, no pets allowed inside the park. (No exceptions. Our dog is the cutest and sweetest and she is not allowed in the park...)

> Sunscreen will be available at the site for your convenience; please help yourself.

> Wash your hands often, for a really long time and don't touch anyone who didn't give you their permission!

Relay Teams - All 2 or 3 members of a relay team will share one race number and one timing chip. Timing chip is to be handed off to the next member at the bike racked in the transition area. As the swimmer arrives at the bike, he or she will give the chip to the cyclist. As the cyclist completes the bike course and arrives at the bike rack, he or she will hand off the timing chip to the runner. Bicycle must be placed on the bike rack while chip exchanges take place.

If you do not live in the same household, please bring sanitizing wipes or other tool to sanitize the chip when you receive or hand it out. You and your teammates are responsible for this exchange.

Virtual Race - You asked for it, we listened and you can race virtually. Complete the race distance on your own schedule, in your neighborhood, wherever you are. Submit your results and receive a t-shirt, bib and finisher medal in the mail.

Email your results to beachblasttri@gmail.com. If you race with us virtually, your finisher medal and t-shirt will be mailed to you the week after the event is completed. Please be sure to enter the correct mailing address in the system during the registration process.

Great Patriots Race Free!

Every year, the most patriotic dressed athlete is rewarded a free registration to the

next year's event! The conditions: you must race in your patriotic outfit.

Congratulations to the 2021 winner!

About the Race

No Friday packet pickup, keeping it simple - get your packet race morning.

No race day registration.

Race Day Schedule:

5:30am Packet pickup and self-body marking begin.

6:45am Pre Race Meeting, last updates.

6:50am The National Anthem

7:00am Race Starts

9:15am Awards Ceremony

The Swim

The swim start is a self-seated time-trial.

Swimmers will form a single file line based on their abilities and projected swim time. If you are a fast swimmer, line up at the front. If you are still asking yourself what are you doing here and why are you doing this to yourself, line up at toward the end of the line.

Wetsuits are allowed. Swim caps are not required but helpful since the water temp is about 68F all year long.

The Bike

You must wear a helmet. Cyclists not wearing helmets will not be allowed on the course. 10 miles to complete - keep you eyes open, head up, follow signage and obey the laws. Say 'thank you' to volunteers and law enforcement officers.

We would not be able to race without them. This course is flat, fast and fun!

The Run

Take off your helmet, put your shades on, wear your bib & run like the wind! Be kind, enjoy the day, hurry back to eat breakfast!

Post race

Breakfast is included for all registered participants.

9:15am Awards ceremony

Awards

Following winners will be awarded:

Male and female overall 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

Male and female masters 1st place.

Male and female grandmasters 1st place.

Youth (12 and under) male and female overall winner.

Age group winners - top 3 winners in these age groups:

13-15,16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54,

55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+

Relay Team - one team overall winner.

Large custom finisher medals!

Fun collectible matching sets - bib, t-shirt, finisher medals

and awards - all matching custom design!

Relay Racing (team of 2 or 3 participants completing the race)

You can compete as part of a Relay. Relay = team of 2 or 3 participants. All Relay Team Members must check in at packet pickup individually and pick up their race number.1

All 2 or 3 members of a relay team will share one race number and one timing chip. Timing chip is to be handed off to the next member at the bike racked in the transition area. As the swimmer arrives at the bike, he or she will give the chip to the cyclist. As the cyclist completes the bike course and arrives at the bike, he or she will hand off the timing chip to the runner. Bicycle must be placed on the bike rack while chip exchanges take place.

Fees listed are per person. To register a relay team, the first person (captain) will register him or her self and name the team. Other members of the team will join the team name.

Disclaimer

This is, by a 30-some year tradition a super fun, laid back, and relaxed race. We celebrate 4th of July the best way we know how - getting up very early, swimming in cold spring water, biking with the wind (or against) and running in the sun.

If you are competitive, you will have a fantastic training race. If you're beginner, you will catch the bug of triathlon and never let go. Most importantly, we will celebrate America's birthday, swim-bike-run and have some fun!

If you are uptight and extremely competitive, this may not be the best race for you. We want to have fun!