1st, thanks to Dan for posting basic rules for newbies. On that note, I’m compiling a list of the best small venue triathlons across the US. I’ve got No Cal covered pretty well, but all other areas I know little about. Looking for the best small venues and the best grass roots RDs. Factors include: affordability, friendly attitude, well run events, good venues. Any event big enough to be a TNT event is too big. If it’s been listed in any tri mag’s “top 20” list it’s too big (no tri-cal here!). Thanks for your help! You can post here or email me @ chrismaginn@hotmail.com
well I really love living in California since I made the move 2 years ago. One of the things I really do miss about the deep south though was the smaller races. I think all of these qualify by your standards and they still all happen to be some of my favorite races:
Heart of Dixie Triathlon, Philadelphia, MS
Sunfish Triathlon, Meridian, MS
Hub City Hustle Triathlon, Hattiesburg, MS
Crawfishman Triathlon, Mandeville, LA
Sandman Triathlon, Gulf Shores, AL
Mountain Lakes Triathlon, Guntersville, AL
Missouri: www.raceforsight.org
They have a series: Duathlon ,5k ,sprint tri ,1/4 ironman, 1/2 ironman, ironman.
Saint louis has a tri series now: www.swimbikerunstlouis.com
Red Hills Triathlon, Tallahassee, FL
1/3 mile swim, 18 mile bike, 3.2 mile run
If you think FLA is only flat and full of palm trees and beaches, come and do this race. Outside of St. Anthony’s, this is the best race I’ve participated in for my very short (1.5 years) triathlon career.
SW Triathlon series in New Mexico and West Texas. 20+ races that are all very well run events. F-1 race in Roswell end of August, Buffalo Springs 1/2IM in June, Polar Bear in White Sands in December. Check out this link for some more info on it and some of the archive write ups. The schedule is near the bottom of the main page. The series is the longest running multisport series in the US.
http://www.transitiontimes.com/newmexico
Rusty
BullMoose Triathlon. Held on a private waterskiing lake south of Reno, Nevada. Its more of a celebration of triathlon and not taking things too seriously. Navy Seal designed swim course with obstacle course at midway, two loop mountain bike course, 4 loop run course with water balloon dodging area. Handicapped start, donut eating required sin bin for any infractions. Huge rib and chicken bbq prior to awards. Finishing items included leather jackets, Desoto tri bags, bike jerseys, fleece vests.
For you Michigan racers, I was quite impressed with the Paul Bunyan Tri (1/2 IM) up in Oscoda.
Last year was the inaugural event and turnout was very moderate. It doesn’t help that Oscoda is not the easiest place to get to.
The swim had a seaweed problem, but the bike and run were awesome. I think during the entire race I saw about 5 cars on the race course. The roads are in good condition too. More than 1/2 the run was on a dirt trail in the shade. Ideal for me. I had a great time.
Thanks for the replies…keep 'em coming.
try the Tugaloo oly tri in georgia - about 400 entrants and they do a time-trial swim start. Nice bike course, well marshalled.
For a great grass roots tri in Pennsylvania check out the Anthracite Triathlon
http://www.geocities.com/AnthraciteTriathlon/
Anthracite is in its third year this year, and it epitomizes a great small town race. The race director is no stranger to triathlon as he put on the Carbon County Triathlon for 10 years running in the 80’s, this race is the reincarnation. Entry is limited to 300 participants and proceeds are donated to local charitable organizations.
The race starts in Mauch Chunk Lake Park near Jim Thorpe, PA. The swim is in a very nice fresh water lake in the park. The bike course is challenging (hilly) and takes you through several small coal mining towns in the area. The run is about 50% shaded trail and 50% road, and is also challenging.
The post race food is made by local groups and is one of the best post race spreads I’ve seen, past food has included hot and cold pasta dishes and homemade perogies, a local treat!
If you’re fast enough for an award, overall or age group, you wont be disappointed with the trophies, they are created by a local artist out of chunks of coal (Anthracite is a type of coal) !
Camping is available in the park at the race site or stay at a B&B or Inn in one of the nearby historical towns.
I must confess to being a friend of the race director and have been intimately involved in putting the race on, but dont take my word for how good this race is…check out the comments on the race website.
The Galena Tri and Du in Galena, IL. Great early season sprint race in a scenic historic town. About 2 1/2 hrs from Chicago. Great destination to bring family or friends and stay for the weekend. Can be a cold swim, great bike through hills of Mississippi River bluffs, and fairly flat run. Fun race with good crowds, picnic and band at post race and usually a couple parties afterwards also. http://www.galena.org/triathlon/index.cfm
a oly distance right downtown. Swim in the Allegheny, bike up hill for about 5 miles or so and then turn around and scream back down to do it again on the second loop. Then a flat run along the Allegheny on trails to an island and then back. Other than my A race for the year, I look forward to this race the most.
#1 - Desert Classic Duathlon - late February - Phoenix, AZ
#2 - Mountain Man Triathlon - mid July - Flagstaff, AZ
#3 - Las Vegas Triathlon @ Storrie Lake - July - Las Vegas, NM - this year will be a “du” due to drought 
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I’ll second the Paul Bunyon Challenge 1/2 IM in Oscoda Michigan. They also run a sprint and an Olympic distance race and, I think, a 5 or 10k road race the same weekend. Great swim, smooth roads, well staffed. Check them out here:
http://www.3disciplines.com/index.html
Another small town race that I really like is the Anchor Bay Triathlon in New Baltimore Michigan. :
Chris - I’d be interested to see your list of nor cal races. A new running series that really stood out to me last year here in the bay area was redwood trails. A super friendly trail running series, fun, very pleasant RD, profits go to parks. Highly recommended for a fall running focus!
The Redwood Trails folks are GREAT! I did their 01/01/03 race on Angel Island and had a great time. But even their races are selling out weeks in advance.
I already sent this to Andrew. 
Los Angeles Triathlon Series, All Ladies Tri, Bonelli Olympic Distance
Larry
I haven’t seen any Texas races listed yet. A couple of my (and some other’s) faves
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Wool Capitol Triathlon (“Dirt Road From Hell” is an awesome run leg)
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Corpus Chrisi Triathlon (Fast course with a great veiw of the Texas Bay)
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Buffalo Springs (of course!)
No Cal Tri race organizers (smaller venue) include:
TBF (Total Body Fitness). They do a variety of Tri For Funs and Olympic distance races.
JA Productions: While they put on one of the largest events (San Jose) they also put on a smaller event in Alameda called Tri One that’s a pretty nice Oly distance race (flat and fast…pretty cheap and easy to enter).
On Your Mark Events: Tri For Fun-Pleasanton, Bethel Island, and some Gold Country events. These guys are a little “scattered” but their events have a nice, home grown appeal
First Wave Events: Puts on the Santa Cruz Big Kahuna 1/2 IM, and the Silicon Valley Marathon
By the Beach Productions: Monterey Bay Triathlon, Sandman, Sentinel Tri (all in Santa Cruz)
Envirosports (tons of events)…again, a little scattered, but fun.
Any triathlon in South Louisiana.
Crawfishman, Mandeville, LA - crawfish,red beans and rice, beer and margaritas - $45.00
Cajunman, Lafayette, LA - Jambalaya, gumbo, beer - $45.00
Abitaman Series, Mandeville, LA - Jambalaya, beer - $45.00
Louisiana Triathlon, New Roads(near Baton Rouge) - same as above - $45.00
(All are the best post race parties in the USA. Everwhere else pales in comparison).
Most people in any race - 600
Bob Sigerson