New Run Course Set for the 18th Annual 2XU New York City Triathlon

NEW YORK (May 29, 2018) — 5,000 athletes will take to the river, roads and parks of Manhattan to compete in the 18th annual 2XU New York City Triathlon produced by Life Time® – Healthy Way of Life, on Sunday, July 1.

For the first time in race history, the run course will be altered so that the race will now flow through Central Park in a counter clockwise direction. This change will bring runners through the southern end of Central Park, and reduce hills by 10% (without the North Woods). Limited general entry and charity team spots are still available.

Click Here for 2018 Course Map

The course change is a first step within a larger initiative, led by Life Time, to create a new and improved athlete and spectator experience at the 2XU New York City Triathlon. The adjusted course will take veteran and first-timers through a new race experience, emphasized by the incredible views of midtown Manhattan near 59th Street.  In an effort to make the course more accessible, more than 100 feet of hills have been eliminated, reducing the total course incline by 10%, from 331 to 303 total feet of climbing. The course will also be more spectator-friendly, offering easier access to viewing areas and closer proximity to midtown Manhattan.

“Athletes of all abilities will appreciate the new run course – veterans who have been with us for many years will enjoy the novelty, first timers can rest easy as they prepare for fewer inclines, and all will be able to take in the iconic views of midtown Manhattan as they run downtown through Central Park,” said Gladys Cueto, Race Director. “As the 2XU New York City Triathlon grows we want to continue to improve upon our race and with that the participant and spectator experience; this new run course is a great first step.”

The 2XU New York City Triathlon, part of the 2018 Life Time Tri Series, which includes seven signature races across the country, is the only International distance triathlon in New York City. The race, is expected to draw 5,000 participants, including Pros, Paratriathletes (physically challenged) and Age Group athletes from around the world. Participants will swim 1.5 kilometers (.93 miles) in the Hudson River, bike 40 kilometers (24.85 miles) on the Henry Hudson Parkway, and run 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) in Central Park. Pro athletes will kick off the race by jumping into the Hudson at 5:50 a.m. The winner is expected to cross the finish line in Central Park at 7:30 a.m.

More than $90,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to this year’s field, including professional triathletes and amateur athletes alike. The 2018 event incorporates the inagural Life Time Tri Championship event – featuring 250 able-bodied and paratriathletes who qualified across the 2017 Life Time Tri Series.

Race weekend will kick off on Friday, June 29 with the beloved NYC Tri Diaper Derby, featuring future triathletes crawling to victory during “the slowest two minutes in sports.” On Friday night, 500 athletes – wearing nothing but their undergarments – will run 1.7-miles through Central Park during the Pair of Thieves Underwear Run.