The Reston Triathlon is heading back to Lake Audubon on Sunday, September 20, three years after a nonprofit stepped in to save the race from extinction.
CORE Foundation, a 501(c)(3), revived the Olympic-distance event in 2023 following a two-year gap. The race was founded in 1984 and ran for nearly four decades before its previous organizing board announced in 2021 that it could no longer financially or logistically sustain operations. CORE worked closely with that board to stage a comeback debut on Sunday, September 10, 2023.
The revival has drawn fresh attention. FFXnow's Readers' Choice feature, published Friday, named both the Reston Triathlon and the Run Thru Reston, a charity half marathon and 5K held each spring, among Fairfax County's best races. The publication noted that "Reston-based events reigned supreme" in the poll.
What the September 20 race looks like
Athletes will tackle a 1,500-meter open water swim in Lake Audubon, a 25-mile bike course through Reston and a 10K run on local paths. The race is open to athletes ages 15 and up, with Aquabike and Relay divisions available.
Registration closes Saturday, September 13, at racinginreston.org. The event's own website calls it the "Reston Triathlon World Championship," a nickname participants have used for decades.
Friends of Reston Fall 5K adds kids' race
Reston's fall calendar includes another new wrinkle. The 6th Annual Friends of Reston Fall 5K takes place Sunday, October 4, starting at 8 a.m. at Brown's Chapel Park. New for 2026, organizers added a Pumpkin Dash for children under 10.
All proceeds support the Friends of Reston's youth scholarship and enrichment fund. Friends of Reston is a nonprofit supporting organization of Reston Association.
Upcoming community race calendar
- Sunday, September 20 — Reston Triathlon, Lake Audubon (registration at racinginreston.org through September 13)
- Sunday, October 4 — Friends of Reston Fall 5K and Pumpkin Dash, Brown's Chapel Park, 8 a.m.
