If you typed “TriDeltathon” into Google, you might have expected a tech event or a coding contest. It is not. The TriDeltathon is a small, friendly triathlon in Knoxville, Tennessee. It has a swim, a bike ride and a run, and it has a long history at the University of Tennessee.
This guide explains what the race is, how the course works, who runs it, and where the money goes. You will also find tips for first time racers, a short history, and answers to ten common questions. I used race pages, the race organizer’s notes, and university sources. The sources are listed at the end, so you can check everything yourself.
TriDeltathon at a Glance
Here is a quick summary before we go deeper.
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Type of event | Pool triathlon (swim, bike, run) |
| Place | University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee |
| Swim | 400 meters in a pool |
| Bike | About 6 miles around campus and Neyland Drive |
| Run | About 3 miles around campus |
| Race types | Individual and relay |
| Age limits (2020 listing) | Individual from 10 years old, relay from 7 years old |
| Organizer | Race Day Events |
| Helpers | Members of the Delta Delta Delta sorority |
| Charity | East Tennessee Children’s Hospital |
| Main claim | The oldest running pool triathlon in the country |
What Is the TriDeltathon?
The TriDeltathon is a sprint style triathlon. That means the distances are short, so you do not need to be a pro athlete to take part. The organizers call it the oldest running pool triathlon in the country.
A pool triathlon is different from a lake or river triathlon. You do not swim in open water. You swim in a pool, one lane after another. This makes the first part of the race much easier for new triathletes. There are no waves, no cold lake, and no worry about seeing where you are going.
The name comes from the group that helps run it. “Tri Delta” is the nickname of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. Put “Tri Delta” together with “triathlon” and you get “TriDeltathon.”
Who Runs the Race?
Two groups work together to make the race happen.
Race Day Events is a race company based in Knoxville. It handles the registration, the timing, the awards and the race day plan. Its name appears on the official race pages, and the race contact on the 2020 page is Martin Coleman.
Delta Delta Delta members from the University of Tennessee give volunteer support. Race pages say that the women of the sorority help on race day, and that the money raised goes to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.
Delta Delta Delta was founded on November 27, 1888 at Boston University. Its national partner is St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The University of Tennessee student life website says the local chapter also supports East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. That fits what the race pages say about the TriDeltathon.
The Race Format
The race follows the usual order: swim first, then bike, then run. Let’s look at each part.
Part 1: The 400 Meter Swim
The swim is 400 meters. The race pages describe a pool swim at the University of Tennessee Student Aquatic Center.
Swimmers do not all jump in at once. They start one at a time, with a few seconds between each person. A 2014 course page says every 5 seconds. A later page says about every 7 seconds. The fastest swimmers go first, and the slowest go last. This is called a seeded start, and it keeps the lanes from getting crowded.
Here is how the later race page explains the swim. The pool has eight lanes that are 50 meters long. You swim down one lane, duck under the rope at the end, and swim back in the next lane. You keep going until you reach 400 meters.
One small detail changed over the years. The 2014 page describes an outdoor pool, and the 2020 page says an indoor pool. If you plan to race, always read the newest race page.
Part 2: The 6 Mile Bike Ride
After the swim, you change quickly and get on your bike. The ride is about 6 miles. The race page says it is a tour of the UT campus and Neyland Drive.
The 2014 course page gives more detail. It says the route is a two lap ride around campus, with some rolling hills and one flat part along Neyland Drive. Six miles is short, so most people finish it quickly. But your legs will already be tired from swimming, so it still feels like work.
Part 3: The 3 Mile Run
The run is the last part. It is about 3 miles. The route goes through campus and passes Neyland Stadium and Thompson-Boling Arena. Both are well known places at the University of Tennessee.
The 2014 page says the run is fairly hilly, with water stops at mile 1 and mile 2. Many triathletes say the first minutes of the run feel strange, because their legs feel heavy after the bike. That feeling goes away for most people after a few minutes.
Individual and Relay Entries
You can race alone or with friends.
- Individual: You do all three parts yourself.
- Relay: A team shares the work. One person swims, one bikes and one runs.
The 2020 race listing said the individual race was open to ages 10 to 99. The relay race was open to ages 7 to 99. That is why the race feels family friendly. A team of friends or classmates can try a triathlon without training for all three sports.
The race has awards for overall winners, age groups and relay teams. The organizers also offered special student pricing.
The Race Day Place: UT Student Aquatic Center
The race starts at the Student Aquatic Center on the University of Tennessee campus. The address is 2106 Andy Holt Avenue in Knoxville.
The university library says the building was finished in May 1967. The indoor pool is named after Ray Bussard, a famous swim coach. The university says the center was used to train US Olympic swimmers in 1972, 1980 and 1996.
Today, the Student Aquatic Center has an Olympic size 50 meter indoor pool. It also has an outdoor pool next to it. A newer building, the Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center, opened next door in 2008 for the university swim and dive teams.
A Simple Race Day Timeline
Here is how an earlier race day worked, based on the old race page. Dates and times can change, so always check the new page.
- Day before: Fleet Feet Sports gave a beginner clinic at the UT Aquatic Center in the evening.
- Race morning, 6:30 a.m.: Packet pickup opened at the pool. You could also sign up on the day.
- 8:30 a.m.: The race started.
- After the race: Awards were given to the winners.
The same page said about 350 people were expected to take part. That is a good size. It is big enough to feel like a real event, but small enough that you can find your friends.
A Short History of the TriDeltathon
The TriDeltathon has been part of Knoxville spring weekends for a long time. A Fleet Feet Knoxville post says the race came back for its 31st year, and it was the first race in the Fleet Feet Triathlon Grand Prix with Race Day Events. The overall winner that day, Collin Zimmerman, finished in 40 minutes and 56 seconds. A later RunSignup page called the race “the granddaddy of them all” and said it was back for its 36th year. Different pages count the years in different ways, but both show the race has been around for decades.
Some other facts from old race pages:
- In 2013, the race cost $40 for an individual and $60 for a relay team if you signed up early. The price went up to $65 and $90 on race day. Students got a discount. These are old prices, so do not use them to plan today.
- The race was not sanctioned by USA Triathlon, according to the 2020 page.
- In 2020, the race was canceled. The organizers said the University of Tennessee moved classes online for the rest of the school year. Runners could keep their fee as a gift to the hospital, move to the next year, switch to another Race Day Events triathlon, or ask for a refund.
What About TriDeltaRUN?
You may also see a race called TriDeltaRUN. It is not the same event.
TriDeltaRUN is a 5K run. Race Day Events and the Delta Delta Delta sorority run it together. The 2026 race was on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at the UT Gardens in Knoxville. The course goes mostly along the Third Creek greenway. The race page says it was the fifth year for the 5K, and runners got cotton shirts, awards and snacks. The race started at 10 a.m.
When I looked at the Race Day Events 2026 list, it showed TriDeltaRUN on April 19 and did not show a TriDeltathon triathlon. I also could not find a clear 2026 sign up page for the swim, bike and run race on the official sites. One website with an estimated date exists, but it does not look like a trusted source. So if you want to join, check the Race Day Events website first, or send them a message.
Tips for Your First TriDeltathon Style Race
The tips below are general advice for beginners in short pool triathlons. They are not official rules from the race.
Train for the Swim First
Many people can ride a bike and jog. Fewer people feel good swimming 400 meters without a break. Try to swim 400 meters in your local pool a few times before race day. Practice turning at the wall and swimming in a lane with other people.
Learn the Lane Rules
In a seeded pool start, you swim with a set order. Tell the organizers your honest swim time, so you are placed in the right spot. If you guess too fast, faster swimmers may catch you from behind. If you guess too slow, you may have to pass people.
Practice a Bike to Run Day
Try a “brick” workout. Ride your bike for about 20 minutes, then go for a short run right away. Your legs will feel odd at first. After a few practice sessions, the feeling is much less scary.
Keep Your Transition Simple
A transition is the time between the swim and bike, and between the bike and run. Lay out your things in the order you will use them. Keep it simple: a towel, shoes, socks, a helmet and a number belt. Wear a swimsuit under your clothes if the rules allow it, so you do not need to change much.
Check Your Bike and Helmet
You will need a safe, working bike and a helmet. Check your tires and brakes a few days before the race. Do not try new gear on race day.
Eat Light Before the Start
A morning race means an early breakfast. Pick food you already know sits well in your stomach. Do not try a new food on race day.
Arrive Early
If packet pickup starts at 6:30 a.m. and the race starts at 8:30 a.m., plan to arrive in time to park, find the pool, and walk the transition area. A calm start makes the race more fun.
Tips for Volunteers and Fans
You do not have to race to enjoy the TriDeltathon. Friends and family can cheer along the bike and run route. Volunteers often help at water stops, check in tables and turns on the course. Past pages say that the sorority members give volunteer support, so if you are a Tri Delta member, you may be able to join the team through your chapter.
If you watch the race, bring a chair, bring a sign and plan where you want to stand. The finish area near the pool and the campus streets are good places to cheer.
Why This Race Matters
The TriDeltathon is not only a sports event. It also raises money for children who need medical care. The race pages say the money supports East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. Even when the 2020 race could not take place, the organizers asked runners if they wanted to keep their entry fee as a gift for the hospital.
It also gives new athletes an easy way to try a triathlon. The pool swim, the short bike ride and the 3 mile run are friendly distances. Many people finish their first triathlon at an event like this and then move on to longer races.
Final Thoughts
The TriDeltathon is a short pool triathlon at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. It has a 400 meter swim, a 6 mile bike ride and a 3 mile run. It is run by Race Day Events with help from Delta Delta Delta members, and it raises money for East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.
The race has been part of local spring life for many years. Today the most recent race I could confirm from the organizers is the TriDeltaRUN 5K, so check the Race Day Events website for news about the swim, bike and run race.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the TriDeltathon?
The TriDeltathon is a pool triathlon in Knoxville, Tennessee. It has a 400 meter swim, a 6 mile bike ride and a 3 mile run. The organizers call it the oldest running pool triathlon in the country.
2. Is the TriDeltathon a hackathon?
No. Even though the name ends in “thon,” it has nothing to do with computers or coding. It is a swim, bike and run race.
3. Where does the TriDeltathon take place?
The race is held at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. The swim is at the Student Aquatic Center at 2106 Andy Holt Avenue. The bike ride and run go around campus.
4. How long is each part of the race?
The swim is 400 meters, the bike ride is about 6 miles and the run is about 3 miles. The 2014 course page and the 2020 race page both give these numbers.
5. Who organizes the TriDeltathon?
Race Day Events organizes the race. Members of the Delta Delta Delta sorority give volunteer support.
6. Where does the money go?
The race pages say that the money goes to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.
7. Can kids join the TriDeltathon?
According to the 2020 listing, the individual race was open to ages 10 to 99, and the relay was open to ages 7 to 99. Age rules can change, so check the newest race page before you sign up.
8. Can I do the race with a team?
Yes. The race has a relay option. One person can swim, another can bike, and a third can run.
9. Was the TriDeltathon canceled in 2020?
Yes. The organizers canceled the 2020 race after the University of Tennessee moved classes online for the rest of the school year. People who had signed up could keep their fee as a gift, move to the next year, switch to another Race Day Events triathlon, or ask for a refund.
10. What is the difference between TriDeltathon and TriDeltaRUN?
TriDeltathon is a swim, bike and run triathlon. TriDeltaRUN is a 5K running race. Race Day Events and the Delta Delta Delta sorority also run TriDeltaRUN. The 2026 race was held on April 19, 2026, at the UT Gardens in Knoxville.
