Name: Pioneer Spirit Triathlon - Sprint, Mini, & Challenge | 5k Run
Start: 2026-05-09
End: 2026-05-16
Location: Petersburg, Illinois

About the Event

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.

Races Offered

5k Run/Walk

May 09, 2026

straighten

Distance — 3.1 Miles

terrain

Type — Road running

timer

08:30

Mini Triathlon

May 09, 2026

straighten

Distance — Mini Triathlon

terrain

Type — Road running

timer

08:30

Mini Triathlon - (Clydesdale/Athena)

May 09, 2026

straighten

Distance — Mini Triathlon - (Clydesdale/Athena)

terrain

Type — Road running

timer

08:30

Sprint Triathlon

May 09, 2026

straighten

Distance — Sprint Triathlon

terrain

Type — Road running

timer

08:30

Sprint Triathlon - (Clydesdale/Athena)

May 09, 2026

straighten

Distance — Sprint Triathlon - (Clydesdale/Athena)

terrain

Type — Road running

timer

08:30

Tri-Challenge

May 09, 2026

straighten

Distance — Tri-Challenge

terrain

Type — Road running

timer

08:30

Tri-Challenge - (Clydesdale/Athena)

May 09, 2026

straighten

Distance — Tri-Challenge - (Clydesdale/Athena)

terrain

Type — Road running

timer

08:30

5k Run/Walk | VIRTUAL

May 10, 2026

straighten

Distance — 3.1 Miles

terrain

Type — Road running

timer

00:00

Weather Overview

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for May in Petersburg.

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

thermostat 14.0° / 25.0°

wb_sunny 12.0° / 23.5°

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

air 13.2 /

water_drop 65.3%

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

thermostat 14.0° / 25.0°

wb_sunny 12.0° / 23.5°

air 13.2 km/h

water_drop 65.3%

About Petersburg

Petersburg is a city of 2,200 people (2018) in Central Illinois.

Hotels & Places to Stay

Nearby Races

Lincoln Presidential Half Marathon

location_on Springfield, Illinois, US

calendar_today Apr 11, 2026

Half-Marathon

Lincoln Memorial Garden Trail Race 8K

location_on Springfield, Illinois, US

calendar_today May 30, 2026

Other 10K

1st Annual VFW Post 99 .1K

location_on Decatur, Illinois, US

calendar_today May 09, 2026

Ultra

PRC Pinwheel 5K Run and Fun Walk at Donovan Park …

location_on Peoria, Illinois, US

calendar_today Apr 18, 2026

Other 5K

Recommended for You

Hand-picked events we think you’ll love.

Our pick

Nov 21, 2026

Run Manatee - Rye Preserve 5K -2026

The RUN Manatee 5k series offers THREE adventures to celebrate ONE community. Participants will discover Manatee County…

Our pick

Nov 28, 2026

Turkey Trails - Sioux Falls

Join us for the annual Turkey Trails 5k/10k! A fun, Thanksgiving-themed event that is perfect for the whole family.The…

Our pick

Dec 13, 2026

Candy Cane Course- Lincoln

Join us for the annual Candy Cane Course 5k/12k! A fun, Christmas-themed event that is perfect for the whole family.Th…

Our pick

Mar 21, 2027

Space Coast Triathlon and Duathlon

WE ARE NOW OFFERING AN AQUABIKE DIVISION! Triathlon Information:Join us for the annual Space Coast Triathlon, held in …

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

About the Event

5k: Run/Walk

Event (All Ages): 3Mi Run/Walk

5k: VIRTUAL Run/Walk

Event (All Ages): 3-Mile VIRTUAL Run/Walk

MINI:

Event (All Ages): 100 Yard Pool Swim • 5Mi Bike • 1Mi Run

SPRINT:

Event (Ages 12 & up): 300-Yard Pool Swim • 13Mi Bike • 3.1Mi Run

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.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Races Offered

5k Run/Walk

Mini Triathlon

Mini Triathlon - (Clydesdale/Athena)

Sprint Triathlon

Sprint Triathlon - (Clydesdale/Athena)

Tri-Challenge

Tri-Challenge - (Clydesdale/Athena)

5k Run/Walk | VIRTUAL

Weather Overview

About Petersburg

Hotels & Places to Stay

Nearby Races

Lincoln Presidential Half Marathon

Lincoln Memorial Garden Trail Race 8K

1st Annual VFW Post 99 .1K

PRC Pinwheel 5K Run and Fun Walk at Donovan Park …

Recommended for You

Run Manatee - Rye Preserve 5K -2026

Turkey Trails - Sioux Falls

Candy Cane Course- Lincoln

Space Coast Triathlon and Duathlon

Get race deals & updates