Best races in the US for beginners?

Just did The Nations Triathlon olympic distance in Washington, DC and would highly recommend it.  The race organization is top notch (even with the hiccups associated with ~2500 participants going through multiple political jurisdictions) and the course is not only scenic but flat ... and with clean, new pavement to boot.

You could do bookend race with the oft-sentimental favorite of St. Anthony's/St. Petersburg, FL in April and then Nations Triathlon/Washington, DC in September.

Poster Nutbag - 2008-09-16 2:35 PM Still time for this one ... come to the coast, we'll have some drinks

Well that is a vote of confidence then because I just registered for that as my second sprint

The race reports look mostly promising  

Yes, it is rolling.  It is the same basic course as the Columbia Tri which is considered one of the tougher olympic races out there, but also one of the best run and supported.

 Thanks!  I'm going to definitely put that on my list as a future one to do although not sure it'll be my first.

Yes, hilly, and challenging, as is the run. But it's an awesome atmosphere and an awesome achievement for a sprint tri.

It was the first triathlon I signed up for but then I decided I needed something easier as my first triathlon. Lots of first-timers but *I* wouldn't recommend it as a first triathlon.

Ithaca Tri club puts on Cayuga Lake triathlon every year.  Both an oly and a sprint going on.  Lake is COLD!  Bike starts off with a b#tch of a hill right off the bat then a bunch of rollers, gorgeous views all the way.  Run is up a trail to a gorge with a waterfall. 

I like this race cause 1.  It's a beautiful area  2. very well organized  3.  the time I did it the race volunteers made my day (really)-my goggles broke and one loaned me hers, another one was my swim angel in a canoe when I had a meltdown in the water and almost let them pull me out. (I don't advise racing in a wetsuit you've only played around in)

ETA--it was a location for Sprint National Age group championships this year for USAT>

I've use to go to Taughannock Falls State Park every year for years as a kid.  beautiful country.  I might have to mark that one down on my calendar for next year. 

This may soud a bit out there, but I would recommend the HyVee Triathlon in Des Moines, IA

I'm not sure what is on the agenda for next year, but this last year after the AG race was completed, the pros raced for the last qualifying spots on the US olympic team and the year before, the pros raced for one of the largest purses ever

it's a great course, well organized, great people - worth a look!

Yeah, because the fishing out here in the *Pacific Ocean* is horrible. 

I would suggest any of the Finger Lakes Triathlons in upstate NY. They are great venues that are run by top notch race directors. I try to fit in as many as I can each year and they get better and better each year. The fact that all of them are selling out is a very good indicator how much people think of the races. here are some links:

Fly-By-Night F1 Duathlon
Keuka Lake Triathlon (Sprint & Olympic)
Green Lakes Triathlon (Sprint)
Musselman and Mini-Mussel (Sprint & HIM)
Cayuga Lake Triathlon (Sprint & Olympic)
Cazanovia Triathlon (Sprint & Olympic)
Skinnyman Triathlon (Sprint)
Finger Lakes Triathlon (Sprint & Olympic)