The Gear West Duathlon is the first major race in Minnesota each year and the first in the Midwest Multisport Series.  The first 5km run begins a half mile up the road and runs back past the transition area before heading off road.  The remainder of the run takes place on the Orono Middle School grounds and is a mixture of grass and trail.  The 30km bike course is on great country roads through Orono and Medina.  There are stretches of both rolling hills and more rolling hills.  For the second run, you leave the transition area and head almost directly onto the same off road path as the first run.  Save a little something for the end of the runs as there is a "wall" of a hill to bring you up to the finish line.  This is the most popular duathlon in the Midwest.  Just be prepared for unique weather and wet spots on the run course.

The series moves to Palo, IA (Cedar Rapids) for the Midwest's most popular sprint triathlon. The 0.5km swim is an out-and-back lake swim. Early season water temperatures range from 61- 72 degrees for this race thus a wetsuit pays dividends in comfort, as well as speed. The bike leg quickly leaves Prairie Creek Reservoir Park and heads out onto flat, smooth county highway. Two hills toward the end of the ride will lead you back into the park and into transition for the 0.5km run. The new run course will alleviate congestion of bikers, runners and cars all sharing the road at the same time inside the park.  The elite wave is going to race in a "Gender Equalized" format with the ladies getting a head start.  First person across the line will be getting a Big cash bonus.  This event attracts more than 150 Minnesota athletes each year. The 5-hour drive from Minneapolis does not seem too long after enjoying this great event.

This is the unofficial "Homecoming" for Minnesota Triathlon.  As you would expect with an early season race, the water can be cold.  A wetsuit is not needed but if the weather is cool or wet the wetsuit can make your morning more comfortable.  White Bear Lake is amazingly clean and the swim course is a clockwise rectangle.  The bike takes you North and East on an out and back route.  Most of the bike is gently rolling hills and is typically breezy.  The run could not be any more flat.  If you want to feel good about your run speed, do Manitou.  Bring the family and enjoy the beach until the awards and give aways begin.

The town of Waconia is located west of the Twin Cities on Highway 5 and hosts a beautiful race.  Lake Waconia is used by wind surfers from around the Twin Cities so you can expect wind and waves during the swim.  The swim is a clockwise rectangular course.  The bike is as challenging as the swim.  It starts with a hard climb up cemetery hill and continues with two more rolling hills as you pass through downtown Waconia.  As you leave town you also leave the hills but you now get the wind.  The bike course is a rectangle out into the country and back around the lake.  The run is the same two hilly miles that start the bike.  As you come back down the last hill and fly to the finish line you quickly forget about the challenges during the race but you will be left with an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment.  The popularity of this race is shown with the registration filling in just 14 days.

Timberman has one of the most beautiful venues you will ever see in the Midwest.  The race takes place at Sugar Lake Lodge just outside of Grand Rapids, Minnesota.  Being in northern Minnesota it is pretty much guaranteed to be a wetsuit swim.  The water is so clean you can see the tracks left in the sand by the clams 25 feet below.  The bike has a number of rolling hills so be prepared to get out of your saddle.  The long course has two different loops through the old growth forests.  The run is a flat out and back with the middle two miles on gravel roads.  With the short course sharing the same course it is like a party with all the activity so you won't have any trouble with motivation at the end of the race.  This is a must do race.

HOLT is the premier triathlon in the Midwest.  The 1000 athletes represent all aspects of triathlon.  With less than 3000 residents the town swells to twice it's population on race day with the athletes and their families.  With how well the race is organized you would think the town was 10 times it's actual size.  The lake is aptly named Pleasant Lake and is a half mile swim.  To assure the swim is accurate HOLT has a permanent tie off for the turn around buoys.  The bike is mostly flat with one nice river valley to ride down and up.  The long course run is a long loop around Pleasant lake.  It is notoriously sunny and hot on that July asphalt but the last mile you will be encouraged by the cyclist still out on the bike.  When done spend some time in the mist showers and eat.  The food and refreshments are plentiful and relax in the shade of the big oaks while the awards are started.  Just remember to register early as this race always fills fast.

Rod Raymond does a great job with the race.  It takes place at Pike Lake.  Like Timberman Tri the swim is as clean as you will ever find.  You can expect to be able to wear your wetsuit as the lake is spring fed.  The bike is predominantly flat with a few rolling hills.  The good news is you get to do the same loop twice so you know it well on the second half of the bike.  And no matter what you hear about the course the roads are not that rough.  The run is essentially flat except one hill near the turnaround.  After the race you can head to downtown Duluth and eat at the Brewhouse restaurant.

This race has won "Race of the Year" three of the last 5 years.  And that is because the committee wants to win race of the year every year.  The race has a perfect venue at the park on Turtle lake.  The water temperature hovers right at 78 degrees so wetsuit use is usually a race day call.  The swim is an out and back.  Bring your tinted goggles as the sun will be in your eyes as you head back to shore.  This is perhaps the only race you will do where you can ride in transition.  That is because there is a little hill at the edge of transition.  The bike is so flat, it is actually flatter than the swim.  The run is  a counter clockwise loop around Turtle lake with an out and back on the back side of the course.  Turtleman always has a ton of food so enjoy yourself while you wait for the awards and give aways.

This is at the same venue as the Sprint.  The triangular swim has you swimming into the sun on the first short section.  However the race has been delayed a couple of times because of dense fog.  Just bring both goggles.  The bike is an out and back with a long loop at the far side of the course.  The course has near continual long rolling hills.  Not ones you get out of your saddle on, but you know you are going up hill.  The weather has also brought the extremes.  Highs of 70 degrees, dry, windless and also 92 degrees, humid and windy.  The run is a real challenge.  Once you are out of the park the road is completely flat as it snakes through the Cedar River Valley.  There is one large hill at the turnaround and one large hill at the 11 mile mark as you enter back into the park.  Just when you think this sounds too difficult just remember the race is superbly organized.  There is always plenty of food, ice, water, and Gatorade at the 4 bike aid stations and 12 run aid stations.