Swim Course
Set sail on the mighty Hudson

SWIM START

The swim course will run with the current which will be flowing north at the time of our race. Starting at 81st St., athletes will enter the Hudson and swim north to the exit at 99th St. and proceed to Transition at 101st St. (Riverside Park) for the subsequent bike leg.

Click image to enlarge. Info subject to change.

PRE-SWIM START

    • Timing strap must be placed securely around your left ankle.
    • Remember your race-issued swim cap, wristband and clothing bag.
    • Give yourself ample time to get from Transition to Swim Start. The Time Trial start format goes faster than anticipated. It’s a one-mile walk from Transition.
    • Drop your clothing bag at a gear truck near Swim Start (Upper Level). All checked bags will be transported to the Finish Line Athlete Recovery for you to pick up after the race.
    • Listen for final water temperature announcements.
    • Wait in your assigned corral. Practice swims are not permitted.
    • Sit-to-start for ALL athletes (no diving or jumping)

*A special needs table will be provided at the Swim Exit (99th St) for anyone who wishes to place eyeglasses inhalers, medicine, etc. The table will be located on the right side as athletes exit the water. Those who wish to place items simply need to stop at the table prior to their swim start, insert their item into a bag and label it with their name and race number.

Water temps must be 78°F or under to be wetsuit legal. If the water temp is 78.1°F or above, wetsuits and rubberized suits are prohibited.

Swim Start Areas

Upper Level – Amenities & Waiting Area, Toilets, Athlete Baggage, Bottle Refill, Information, Volunteer Check-In
Athletes MUST bring their own bottle of water to discard in a trash bin or to include in their athlete bag to check in at the Baggage Drop trucks prior to entering their corral. Some athletes may have a longer wait time between Transition closing and their assigned race start – bring enough nutrition and hydration.

Lower Level – Corral Staging, Solutions
Athletes must report to the Lower Level 30 minutes in advance of their assigned start wave. Event staff and volunteers will help lead each wave into the start corral area and to the swim barge according to the Swim Wave Start Schedule (chart below)

Swim Start Corral Access Times
4:00 AM – Pros, Paratri, Group Yellow
6:20 AM – Group Red

TIME TRIAL START

  • All athletes will be grouped with their assigned Age Group or Division.
  • Per industry standards, Age Groups are determined by your age at the end of the calendar year (i.e. the age you will be on December 31, 2022).
  • Age Groups/Divisions will be filed as a group onto the Start Barge. Athletes will enter the water APPROXIMATELY 15 ATHLETES EVERY 20 SECONDS.
  • Due to tide shifts and depth concerns, the race is sit-to-start only. No jumping or diving. Diving is grounds for disqualification.
  • Timing mats will be located at the starting edge of the Start Barge.
  • All athletes will receive a Timing Chip net time from the moment they leave the mats at the edge of the Start Barge until they cross the Finish Line timing mats. The swim time split will start once the athlete leaves the Start Barge timing mats and will end at the Swim Exit Barge timing mats.
  • Pro athletes enter the water first, followed by Group Yellow and Paratriathletes. There will be a 5-minute gap between Paratriathletes and First-Timer (Group Yellow) athletes, followed by a 12-minute gap before Group Red start. See the Wave Start Chart below.
  • Any athlete missing their assigned Age Group start will be instructed to enter the water in the next wave.
  • Estimated time for the last athlete out of the water is approximately 8:45 am.

Click image to enlarge. Times subject to change.

SWIM Course Tips

  • Bring enough food and hydration with you to the swim start to stay nourished while you’re waiting for your wave. You may check any leftovers into your clothing bag prior to race start (Upper Level).
  • The race has been wetsuit legal every year, so you will likely be able to wear your wetsuit. Stay tuned to event social media channels and PA announcements on race day for the official water temperature. Wetsuit Rules.
  • If you’re struggling in the swim, raise and wave your arm to get the attention of one of our many swim support teams on surfboards, jet skis and boats. If you need to grab onto a surfboard for a second you may do so without being disqualified, but you can’t make forward progress.
  • Don’t be surprised by the saltiness of the Hudson River!
  • Make sure you’re on time.

Swim Requirement

In order to promote safety, the Verizon New York City Triathlon requires each swim participant to have successfully completed an OPEN WATER (not in a pool) swim with a minimum distance of ½ mile within 24 months prior to the 2022 race date. Learn More

MEDICAL SUPPORT

There will be roving medical support and EMS along the Swim, Bike and Run Courses, along with medical support at the Aid Stations, in Transition and at the Finish. Should you experience any medical issues, please notify the nearest official or Aid Station who will dispatch appropriate medical attention Be sure to hydrate well with expected heat In the event of lightning along the course, immediately seek shelter under a permanent structure.

Water Quality

The historic Hudson River is the swim venue for the New York City Triathlon. The Hudson River is the cleanest it has been in 30 years and is considered bathing and recreation quality. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) monitors the testing on a weekly basis in the Hudson River to ensure the water meets the Triathlon’s strict standards. Watch the video below for information about the Hudson River including its tides, cleanliness and overall safety.

For more information on water quality, visit the nyc.gov DEP website or Riverkeeper to see what things are being done to improve the quality of the Hudson. Plus, check out a Q&A article with 29-year veteran at the (DEP) in New York, Beau Ranheim – Section Chief of Marine Sciences here.