Race Discovery
Pioneer Spirit Triathlon - Sprint, Mini, & Challenge | 5k Run
Pioneer Spirit Triathlon - Sprint, Mini, & Challenge | 5k Run logo

Pioneer Spirit Triathlon - Sprint, Mini, & Challenge | 5k Run

Petersburg, Illinois, United States View on map
May 09, 2026 – May 16, 2026 (America/Chicago local time)
Triathlon

About this race

The Pioneer Spirit Sprint and Mini triathlon are a mid-spring tri-series that enables seasoned triathletes or beginning triathletes to test out their abilities in a short-distance, heated indoor pool, triathlon. If you take on the Tri-Challenge you participate in the mini-sprint as well as a sprint distance to test your stamina and talent for the triathlon.  We are very proud that this event was selected as one of Triathlete’s 2025 Best Beginner Triathlons in the U.S.!

5k: Run/Walk 

Event (All Ages): 3Mi Run/Walk
  • The 5k will begin at 9:15 am.
  • There will be a gun start. 
  • All participants will complete the same route as the running portion of the Sprint Triathlon. 
  • Participants will have 2 hours to complete the route.  

5k: VIRTUAL Run/Walk 

Event (All Ages): 3-Mile VIRTUAL Run/Walk
  • Virtual 5k participants will NOT participate on race day.
  • Packets must be picked up locally or pay for shipping on checkout (no international shipping). 
  • Participants will have one week (Sunday through Saturday following race day) to submit their results. 
  • Virtual participants do not qualify for awards.

MINI:

Event (All Ages): 100 Yard Pool Swim • 5Mi Bike • 1Mi Run
  • The Mini Triathlon will begin at 8:30 am.
  • The race includes a 100-yard swim, a 5-mile bike ride down a flat rural road, and finishing with a 1-mile run.
  • This event is tailored to the novice triathlete and will serve as a great introduction to triathlon for children and adults.
  • Athena/Clydesdale options are also available for the mini-triathlon.
  • There are no team registrations.

SPRINT: 

Event (Ages 12 & up): 300-Yard Pool Swim • 13Mi Bike • 3.1Mi Run
  • The Sprint Triathlon will begin at 9:30 am.
  • The race includes a 300-yard swim, a 13-mile bike ride on a rolling and flat prairie road, and finishing with a 3.1-mile run through picturesque Petersburg. The run will take you past century-old architectural structures and through a historic cemetery. 
  • Athena/Clydesdale options are also available for the sprint triathlon.
  • There are no team registrations.

TRI-CHALLENGE:

Event (Ages 12 & up): 100 Yard Pool Swim • 5Mi Bike • 1Mi Run & 300-Yard Pool Swim • 13Mi Bike • 3.1Mi Run, back to back.
  • The Tri-Challenge will begin with the Mini starting at 8:30 am and the Sprint starting at 9:30 am.
  • The mini race includes a 100-yard swim, a 5-mile bike ride down a flat rural road, and finishing with a 1-mile run.
  • The sprint race includes a 300-yard swim, a 13-mile bike ride on a rolling and flat prairie road, and finishing with a 3.1-mile run through picturesque Petersburg. The run will take you past century-old architectural structures and through a historic cemetery. 
  • Athena/Clydesdale options are also available for the Tri-Challenge.
  • There are no team registrations.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

  • All ages are welcome for the mini triathlon. Ages (12+) are welcome for the sprint and challenge triathlons.
  • An awards ceremony will follow after the last runner crosses the finish line of the Sprint.
  • Post-race showers will be available at the PORTA pool.
  • Fee includes: Use of timing chips (chips must be returned), BIB #, race-specific SWAG, finishing medals for all athletes, placement awards, water, and post-race food.  

Pick your distance

Running

5k Run/Walk

Main Event: 5k/3.12Mi Run There is NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION. To be guaranteed a T-shirt you must be registered by the designated T-shirt deadline (4/17). * 5k event must select 1 day bronze USAT registration of $9 if you do not have a USAT membership.

May 09, 2026 5K 9:15 AM
$40.00
Closed

5k Run/Walk | VIRTUAL

Main Event: 5k/3.12Mi Virtual Run/Walk There is NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION. To be guaranteed a T-shirt you must be registered by the designated T-shirt deadline (4/17). * 5k virtual event can submit results Sunday through Saturday following race day. There will not be awards for virtual participants.

May 09, 2026 5K 12:00 AM
$40.00
Closed

Typical race-day weather

Based on 6 years of historical conditions on this event's race dates in Petersburg.

Temp (°C)
Minimum temperature (race-day average) 10.6° / Maximum temperature (race-day average) 23.1°
Feels Like (°C)
Minimum feels like — heat index / wind chill (race-day average) 10.6° / Maximum feels like — heat index / wind chill (race-day average) 23.1°
Wind (km/h)
Average wind speed (race-day average)
21.2
Precip (mm)
Average precipitation (race-day average)
1.0mm
Humidity
Average relative humidity (race-day average)
56.8%

Course

Route map and elevation profile

No course map published yet.

The organizer hasn't released a route for this event, and we don't publish guesses. If you're the organizer, send us a GPX file and we'll draw the profile.

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Other races near Petersburg

Different organizers, within 40 miles, in the next three months

Where this page comes from. Race details were last updated on . We re-check listings regularly and again in the week before race day.

  • Entries, prices, waves and inclusions — the event's official registration page
  • Temperature and humidity — Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0)
  • Elevation and terrain relief — Copernicus DEM GLO-90, ESA (CC BY 4.0)
  • Comparisons and counts — Race Discovery calendar, 2 Petersburg events

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