The Woodlands Triathlon becomes a duathlon due to water issues

THE WOODLANDS, TX – Last weekend's highly anticipated The Woodlands Triathlon suddenly found itself having to adapt to Mother Nature. Due to increased bacteria in Lake Woodlands, the swim portion of the triathlon had to be canceled, leaving behind a modified run-walk-run race.

According to a statement from The Woodlands Township Parks & Recreation Department, The Woodlands Township conducts regular water quality testing annually, including the weeks leading up to and on the week of The Woodlands Triathlon. Collecting multiple samples, including the week of, allows for more accurate results for Race Day lake conditions. The most recent water quality samples collected this week yielded higher bacterial levels than is allowed by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for the level of recreational use. These results were made available to Race Staff late Friday afternoon. As a result, the swim portion of The Woodlands Triathlon has been cancelled. Race Staff is actively working on plans to transition the race to a duathlon (run, bike, run).

When contacted by Woodlands Online, representatives of the department informed us that the race, while sanctioned by the USAT, was not a qualifier event, so rankings, results, and standings of athletes weren't affected by the change.