Athletes and community members are invited to swim, bike, and run in one of Maine’s most scenic coastal events. The annual Pemaquid Beach Triathlon will take place on Sunday, Aug. 23, starting at 9 a.m. at Pemaquid Beach Park in New Harbor.  

Hosted by Bristol Parks and Recreation with support from the Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust, this family-friendly community event welcomes both individual competitors and relay teams of up to three people.  

Most importantly, the Pemaquid Beach Triathlon is a race with a cause. All proceeds from the event go directly toward funding a new accessible playground at Pemaquid Beach Park, with a groundbreaking scheduled for Fall 2026. To date, this annualevent has raised $48,797, and organizers aim to raise an additional $12,000 this year to bring the community closer to its goal.  

The triathlon is made possible through the generous support of the event's top-tier Mooring level sponsors, which include Bangor Savings Bank, Colby & Gale, The Contented Sole, the Ehrenfeld-McKay Family, Matthew Hanly & Greg Hardison, Riverside Butcher Co., and Susan Foster. 

The professionally timed race kicks off with a 400-yard ocean swim off of Pemaquid Beach. Following the swim, the bike leg follows a beautiful 17.4-mile loop around the peninsula, hugging the coastline through the villages of Chamberlain and New Harbor and offering spectacular views of Muscongus Bay. The event concludes with a 3.1-mile out-and-back run course along Pemaquid Trail, a quiet residential street with views of Johns Bay. 

Registration is currently open to participants aged 14 and up. Current registration is $95 for individuals and $144 for relay teams, with a price increase scheduled after July 30, 2026.  

All participants who register before July 31 are guaranteed a soft, ring-spun cotton race t-shirt, and every athlete who crosses the finish line will receive a unique souvenir finisher's prize hand-crafted by a local artisan. Awards will be presented to the top overall male and female finishers, the top three relay teams, and the top two male and female finishers across 12 distinct age groups. 

In keeping with the event's community-first mission, organizers offer confidential registration discounts for anyone where cost might be a barrier to entry. To secure a spot, sign up, or donate to the playground fund, please visit the official registration page at runsignup.com/Race/ME/NewHarbor/PemaquidBeachSprintTriathlon. 

Organizers are also seeking volunteers to help with the event. Roles include assisting with check-in, managing the transition area, and guiding athletes along the course. To sign up as a volunteer, please visit runsignup.com/Race/Volunteer/ME/NewHarbor/PemaquidBeachSprintTriathlon. 

Bristol Parks and Recreation is a department of the Town of Bristol, responsible for caring for and managing town gems including Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park, Pemaquid Beach Park, Ellingwood Information Center, and several other public properties. Learn more at bristolmaine.org/254/Parks-Recreation.