America’s Only Four Event Triathlon, since 1979
Mad River Triathlon started as Tucker Hill Triathlon in 1979 by Rob Center who ran the Tucker Hill Cross Country Ski Touring Center in Fayston. The original event featured cross-country skiing, biking, and paddling. One year in the early 1980’s, a lack of snow caused the substitution of running for skiing. The four events remained part of the competition as it segued from the Tucker Hill Triathlon to the Sugarbush Triathlon. It was later renamed the Mad River Adventure Games with the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce and Sugarbush Resort presenting the event throughout the years and until 2014. In 2024 a team of Valley non-profits resurrected the event imbuing it with the spirit of cooperation and environmental stewardship.
Sustainability
Green Mountain Transit and Green Mountain Valley School shuttle between start, finish, and transition points reduce the amount of driving and the number of cars on the road; please use the shuttle bus!
Portable toilets from Wasted will repurpose the liquid waste into agricultural fertilizer.
There are no paper or plastic cups at the aid stations. Please do your part to reduce the environmental impact and carry a cup or a water bottle throughout the event
Food waste at the aid stations is reduced by providing package-free, home-baked energy snacks.
We borrow the reusable bibs from the Green Mountain Valley School
Please do your part by carpooling, and reducing your race waste. To offset your carbon footprint, donate $5 to have a tree planted in the Mad River Riparian Restoration Zone by The Friends of the Mad River on your behalf!
Conditions
Let's be real… it's April in Vermont! It could be 20 degrees with a brisk wind and wet snow, or 65 and sunny. One thing is for certain, this is an event for those of us with adventurous spirits. We will provide updates on weather, course conditions, and road conditions (mud season, anyone?). However, things are in flux at this time of year and conditions change quickly.
We will do our best to adapt the race courses to keep with the spirit of the event, but be prepared to adapt to whatever weather Mother Nature decides to throw at us!
Aid stations
There will be an Aid Station at every transition zone. The aid stations will provide water refills and homemade snacks. Please bring your own cup or a water bottle.
travel and lodging info
The Mad River Valley is located in Central Vermont. If you’re traveling for the event, there are many options for local lodging and hospitality, as well as short term rentals. You can view option on the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce website. Our sponsors, Madbush Falls, are donating 50% of their proceeds for the weekend to the triathlon. Stay at Madbush Falls, conveniently located on the triathlon course, and make your dollar go further! In an effort to increase the sustainability of this event, we will run free shuttles from Madbush Falls to the start, finish, and transition locations.
April is mud season in Vermont, therefore we caution drivers following their GPS directions! Mountain roads and passes are typically in bad shape at this time of year. Whether you’re approaching from the north or south on I-89, we suggest staying on the highway until you reach exits 9 or 10, which will put you directly on Route 100.
Volunteers
The day of the event is supported by over 80 dedicated volunteers. Please thank the volunteers for their community spirit!
