Registration is officially open for the annual Pemaquid Beach Triathlon, scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 23. Known for its scenic coastal views and community spirit, the event invites athletes of all levels to race through the iconic Pemaquid peninsula.

The 2026 event continues its mission as a fundraiser for the Bristol Parks and Recreation playground fund, with a goal of raising $12,000 to complete a new playground at Pemaquid Beach Park. To date, the event has already contributed over $48,000 toward this initiative.

Participants can compete as individuals or as part of a relay team of two or three people. The course offers a true Maine experience, with much of the race route hugging the coast. The 400-yard swim begins and ends at Pemaquid Beach. The bike loop follows a 17.4-mile loop through the villages of Bristol Mills, Round Pond, and Chamberlain, featuring gentle rolling hills and stunning views of Muscongus Bay. The race finishes with a flat, fast out-and-back route along Pemaquid Trail, overlooking Johns Bay.

Registration fees for the individual triathlon start at $95 and relay teams at $144. Early registration is encouraged, as prices will increase after July 30.

Every athlete will receive a unique souvenir prize, hand-crafted by a local Maine artisan, and participants who register by July 31 are guaranteed a soft, ring-spun cotton race tee.

To register or learn more about the event, please visit the official race page at runsignup.com/Race/ME/NewHarbor/PemaquidBeachSprintTriathlon.

The event is hosted by Bristol Parks and Recreation with support from Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust. Generous sponsorship is provided by “Mooring” sponsors Susan Foster, Bangor Savings Bank, the Ehrenfeld-McKay Family, and the Contented Sole. Additional sponsors include Caterpy, and the Central Lincoln County YMCA.

Bristol Parks and Recreation is a department of the Town of Bristol, responsible for the management of Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park, Pemaquid Beach Park, Ellingwood Information Center, and a number of other properties including a swimming hole and boat launches. For more information, email bristolparks@tidewater.net or visit bristolmaine.org/parks-recreation.

Coastal Rivers is a non-profit, member-supported, nationally accredited land trust caring for the lands and waters of the Damariscotta-Pemaquid Region by conserving special places, protecting water quality, creating trails and public access, and deepening connections to nature through education programs. For more information, visit coastalrivers.org.