Austin, Texas. May 25, 2026
The Race That Started It All
Some races are highlights on the calendar. Others become part of a team's story.
For Squadron Racing, Supertri Austin was one of those races.
Back in 2023, this event helped inspire the beginning of Squadron Racing. Three years later, we returned to our home race in Austin, Texas, with eight athletes ready to take on the Olympic distance course. While it wasn't the first time Squadron athletes had raced together, it was the first time so many of us lined up on the same start line.
From the moment the day began, there was a unique feeling in the air. No matter where you were on course, another Squadron athlete was never far away. Every stage of the race came with familiar faces, race hype, and the energy that comes from racing alongside friends. It was a reminder that while triathlon is an individual sport, race days are together.
Transition Zone Focus
The race started early morning. All athletes rolling into transition zone before 6 AM. The sun just barely starting to rise, each athlete focused on their own unique transition setup.
Each athlete focused on their own unique transition setup. Bike tires aired up to the exact pressure preferred. Nutrition gels and bottles loaded onto the bike. Each athlete placing their running shoes, bib number belt, and Squadron Race hat exactly in place for the moment they'd quickly come into play.
As the morning started, the officials called the 5 minute warning. With transition zone closing soon, each athlete made their final adjustments to their set up and made their way out of transition zone. 6:40 AM. Everything ready to go.
A Memorable Morning
The professional athletes entered the water at 7:00 AM, while most age-group competitors wouldn't begin until 7:30. That gap created one of the most memorable moments of the morning.
Instead of rushing toward the start line, Squadron athletes had time to gather together, relax, and enjoy the calm before the storm. It became an impromptu hangout session accompanied with race day routine prep.
Some athletes focused on final pre race nutrition. Others worked through mobility drills and warm-up routines. Race strategies were discussed one final time, and for a few moments, the pressure of competition gave way to simple camaraderie.
Then 7:30 arrived.
Into Lady Bird Lake
Each athlete found their place in their age group. The line began moving and it led to the swim start. Swim caps came on, and goggles placed perfectly into position. It was time to get started.
Off the dock and into the water. The race clock had started.
The swim course was one big rectangle through Lady Bird Lake, in the heart of downtown Austin. Athletes worked their way through very favorable water conditions. Visibility was surprisingly good. Underwater plants were mostly out of the way with the occasional passenger coming along for a few yards.
Each sight out of the water served to track the buoys, nearby swimmers, and to steal a quick glance at the Austin skyline in the background.
With the wetsuits on, the pace stayed high through the swim course. Athletes passed one buoy at a time, swam beneath the bridge and navigated all four turns.
A 1,500 meter swim, coming down to the final strokes.
Then the key moment came. Sight the water a few times and line up the swim ramp perfectly. Now to burn up the arms till the legs have some footing.
Swim complete.
Into T1
One by one the Squadron athletes made their way into transition 1. Each athlete fighting off the wetsuit right away.
While finding some balance through some intense breathing, the bike shoes came on, the helmet clipped in, and the bike came off the rack.
Once through the bike mount line, it was time to get the big mileage in.
Bike Leg Through Downtown
25 Miles, 4 Loops. Quick work through the historic streets of Downtown Austin.
This was an active course with busy navigation. There was real strategic advantage in tracking the race line. Each turn presenting an opportunity to either carry momentum through, or play it safe and tap the brakes.
The route's four-loop design created a unique dynamic. Each lap brought athletes back through familiar segments, allowing them to dial in their approach with every pass. Corners became more predictable. Hills more manageable. Race strategy playing out in real time.
The cherry on top was that every loop brought athletes back to their race supporters. The cheers kept coming, keeping morale & effort high.
Friends, family, and teammates helped turn hard stretches into manageable ones and reminded every athlete why this race felt different.
This was Austin, this was home.
Biking Into T2
One by one, the athletes rolled back into transition and dismounted their bikes, immediately feeling the weight of the effort settle into their legs. The temperatures had continued to climb throughout the morning, and T2 was noticeably hotter than the cool hours before sunrise.
Sweat poured out from the aero helmets as the athletes made their way to their transition slots. Tri suits had done their best to ventilate heat, but now it was time to switch gears one final time.
Helmets came off, Squadron Race hats went on along with bib belts and running shoes. One or two gels and a few salt chews in the suit pockets would do the trick.
Final prep complete & out through the transition exit and onto the run course.
Run It! Loop One
One leg to go. The most demanding, but the one with the finish line.
It was time to fight it out each mile for every minute. Six miles, two laps, at high pace.
It always takes a few minutes for the legs to switch gears & catch a second wave. This is where salt and carbs come in, cramp prevention and fueling checked off the list early into the run. Each athlete focused on managing the start well enough to build pace into the miles to come.
Carbon plated shoes slammed against the concrete as runners worked their way through the course. Aid Stations offering a quick splash of cool water, providing brief relief from the Texas heat.
Race supporters had made their way over to the run course and kept the energy high. No time to slow down, relief would come later.
The course had turns all over the place. The only few stretches on road would eventually go into a winding sidewalk around auditorium shores, then back towards South Congress bridge. Running Right next to the active bike course and offering an up close view of Lady Bird Lake.
Loop one complete. Final 3 miles to go.
Loop Two
The final half of the race was here.
Mile 4 goes through a nice gradual hill, the kind that really burns up the legs at race pace. The key was to not lose too much time on it. Pace it hard, and recover coming back downhill.
The two main U-turns helped Squadron athletes spot one another. With some friendly competition, this was a good source of extra race pace.
The mile countdown began, mile 4 complete, 2 more to go. Mile 5 complete, 1 mile left. Sharp focus on the numbers.
The final segment through South Congress bridge.
Full sun, full heat. Finish line ahead.
Finish Line
The distance numbers were ticking closer and closer to that sixth mile. A sign on the road calls athletes to make a right toward the finish line.
The guard rails lead you through a cheerful crowd, and the Finish line comes into sight. Here focus shifts away from the burning legs, to taking it all in. A hard effort, from the early swim, to a well maneuvered bike course, and a toasty hot run.
Going through the finish line is incredibly special. The clock stops, breathing settles, and relief finally arrives.
Here, the achievement kicks in.
Squadron At The Finish
With eight Squadron Racing athletes on course, the celebrating continued as each athlete went through the finish line. Joining the finishers with their new medals on.
This was a shared race day experience. Individual efforts with accompanied by other athletes on course.
A day that reminded us exactly why Squadron Racing began, and how special it is to race with your friends.
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