Good First-time races in TN?

Monster, Star and Cedars.  Those 3 sprint triathlons have pool swims and I think you will do just fine and have a great time.  Do all 3!

And if you are someone who likes to see what you are getting in to, come on out to MTSU on Sunday to watch the ADPi sprint triathlon. 

In August, Bowling Green Sprint is close by.  400m pool swim, 14.5 mile bike. 

Given the amount of water available in the Nashville area, there is no reason you couldn't practice in open water a number of times before your race.  if you aren't familiar with the clubs or group training options, message me.  There are several opportunities to join others for swims. 

Check out Mach Tenn in the Manchester area (1.5 hr drive from Nashville).  The swim is in a lake so the water will be calm (and wetsuit legal). Bike and Run will have some hills, but nothing major.  

Here's their website:

http://www.machtenn.org/triathlon/default.htm

My partner and I are very new to triathlons. We are going to do the Barberitos Fall Triathlon in Johnson City. We haven't actually driven there to get a real feel of the course. But it's supposed to be a great one for beginners. I knew I wanted my first event to be a pool based one because I can not even fathom swimming in open water right now. This event is an outdoor pool swim 300 meters, bike 9.1 miles, run 3.1 miles.

The Cedars of Lebanon should be a nice event, I'd be trying it this year except I'm already registered to ride in the Tour de Nash on May 19th.  I agree with the previous posters that the Monster and the Star are great events.  My first was in Knoxville at the West Side YMCA sprint, second in Hunstville, AL at the HiWAAY sprint which I believe may now be called simply the Hunstville Triathlon.  A friend and I drove to Lenoir City, TN last July for the Panther Prowl, also a small, well-run event.  The swim is my weakest effort also, I'm pretty sure I'd drown in open water so I stick to pool swims. 

I think you'll be amazed at the range of sizes and shapes of the participants at a tri.  You won't feel out of place at all, and you'll do well, and most important--have fun!!

Actually, my club is the one that puts on this triathlon. We're going to try to move it back to Winged Deer Park, its original location. If we do, it'll be a 400 m lake swim along the shore (so shallow you can stand up in the water if you're over 4.5 feet tall), a 10 mile bike, and a 2.5-3 mile run. It'll still be a great course for beginners Just stay tuned to the club website www.tricitiestri.org , and I'll try to keep you posted as well. I'm excited to hear ya'll are planning to do the race!

Thanks everyone! I ended up doing Wet Dog yesterday as my first event and it was a great beginners course. Now, I'm looking for something in the Nashville area in Aug/Sept before the season ends.

Already can't wait until next season!!!

Congrats on your first tri.  Somebody mentioned this earier, but the Girls on Grits Tri at the Maryland Farms Y on August 18th could be a good one.  It is super short (200M pool, 8k bike, 2k run) but it is really about the fun and the experience.

Also mentioned was manchester Star on 9/1, another great race with a pool swim.

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I haven't heard of 'girls on grits'...but I've heard of Girls Tri it On.  http://team-magic.com/events/girlstrinashville/index.html