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Humans of Steel: Harris Lake Sprint & Olympic Triathlon

Humans of Steel: Harris Lake Sprint & Olympic Triathlon

Humans of Steel Harris Lake offers a unique reverse-order triathlon experience with a festive atmosphere.

Race Date

Aug 2, 2026

Location

New Hill, NC

Quick facts

Date
Sunday, August 2, 2026
Location
New Hill, North Carolina
Distance
Half marathon (13.1 mi) + 16 Miles, Harris Lake Reverse Olympic Triathlon, Harris Lake Reverse Aquabike Olympic, Harris Lake Reverse Olympic Triathlon RELAY
Course
Loop Course
Terrain
Mixed
USATF certified
Not listed

Highlights

Good For

Beginner FriendlyDestination Worthy

Atmosphere

Party FinishLocal CommunityGreat SwagWell Organized

Course

ShadedWell Marked

The Experience

The Humans of Steel Harris Lake Reverse Triathlon, held annually in New Hill, NC, presents a distinctive multisport challenge. This event flips the traditional triathlon order, with participants swimming in Harris Lake, biking through Holly Springs, and finally running on single-track trails. This reverse format, a signature of the "Humans of Steel" brand, adds a unique twist to the race.

Organized by the women-owned Triangle business, The Endurance Edge, the event is designed to be both challenging and fun, welcoming athletes of all levels. It's particularly noted for its beginner-friendly approach, offering a special handmade plaque for first-time racers to commemorate their achievement. The race is USAT sanctioned, allowing athletes to earn points for rankings.

The event takes place at Harris Lake County Park, conveniently located near major North Carolina cities like Raleigh and Durham. While specific field sizes and repeat runner rates are not detailed, the event is described as steady in its trend and aims to create multisport memories for the entire family, culminating in a shared finish line celebration.

Race-provided description

Harris Lake Reverse Sprint & Olympic Triathlon This is a multisport event to remember with your choice of REVERSE sprint or Olympic triathlon or aquabike plus a crazy fun party, brought to you by Humans of Steel Racing, a subsidiary of The Endurance Edge, a women-owned Triangle business. Let's create multisport memories for the entire family. Everyone shares a finish line and gets to celebrate their accomplishment! It will not only challenge you, but be super fun!  We are beginner friendly. In fact, if this is your FIRST race, we have a special, handmade (huge) plaque for you to have your picture taken with. Held at Harris Lake County Park in New Hill, NC, convenient to Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Fuquay Varina, and Holly Springs, you'll run through the single track trails, ride through Holly Springs, then swim in Harris Lake (yes, in that order...since we like to be different...we're humans of steel, after all!). As of 2024: Sprint AND Olympic course, high school athlete friendly and USAT sanctioned, so you'll get the additional benefits of earning USAT points for rankings.  You can view the rules here. 2025 Athlete & Spectator Guide is HERE. (2026 has small changes) Detailed course maps, GPX links, parking and transition layout can be found here: https://bit.ly/HOSTriMaps  Race Weekend Timeline On Sunday, August 2nd 5:45-7:15am packet pick-up (this will include a trash bag for you to haul out your own trash). No packet pick up prior to race day. **DO NOT ARRIVE EARLIER THAN 5:45am--no waiting allowed outside the park!! 7:30am Reverse Olympic Triathlon + RELAY (10k trail run, ~20 mile road bike, 1500m open water swim)7:40am Reverse Sprint Triathlon (5k trail run, 12.5 mile road bike, 750m open water swim)7:42am Reverse Sprint Aquabike (12.5 mile road bike, 750m open water swim) and Reverse Olympic Aquabike (~20 mile road bike, 1500m open water swim)8am-12:00pm Stick around to enjoy music, kids fun run, playground, photo area, and great post-race snacks!  ~9:30am kids dash10:30am (tentative) Awards (overall Male, Female & Non-Binary plus age group 1st, 2nd, 3rd)11am bike course cut off time 12:00pm course closes AWARDS: Awards will be given to the following divisions 12-14, 15-17, 18-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49 and so on.

Logistics

Race Day

Sunday, August 2, 2026

Start Time

7:42 AM

Giveaway

Defeet Socks

Start Location

2112 County Park Dr, New Hill, NC, 27562

Directions

Course Info

Course Type

Loop Course

Terrain

mixed

Scenery

Lake River, Park

Surface

Dirt Trail, Paved

Difficulty

Ultra-Flat

Net Drop/km

0 m (Flat)

Separation

0.0%

Also Offers

16 MilesHarris Lake Reverse Olympic TriathlonHarris Lake Reverse Aquabike OlympicHarris Lake Reverse Olympic Triathlon RELAY

Quality Score

Methodology
Heritage0/20

first year

Size0/15

no finisher counts yet

Momentum3/5

small race — neutral

Loyalty0/20

needs a few years of results

Course & details8/15

3 timing sources · 8 photos

National draw0/10

no finisher data yet

Front-pack speed0/5

no winner time yet

Weather0/10

typical high 87°F

Race Day Weather

5-year historical avg

Start (Low)

71°

Afternoon (High)

87°

Hot conditions — adjust pace expectations, prioritize hydration

0.1"

Precipitation

9 mph

Wind

75%

Humidity

Race Photos

Frequently asked

When is the Humans of Steel: Harris Lake Sprint & Olympic Triathlon?

The Humans of Steel: Harris Lake Sprint & Olympic Triathlon is held on Sunday, August 2, 2026, starting at 7:42 AM.

Where does the Humans of Steel: Harris Lake Sprint & Olympic Triathlon take place?

It takes place in New Hill, North Carolina.

What distances does the Humans of Steel: Harris Lake Sprint & Olympic Triathlon offer?

The half marathon (13.1 miles), plus 16 Miles, Harris Lake Reverse Olympic Triathlon, Harris Lake Reverse Aquabike Olympic, Harris Lake Reverse Olympic Triathlon RELAY.

Is the Humans of Steel: Harris Lake Sprint & Olympic Triathlon course flat and good for a PR?

The Humans of Steel: Harris Lake Sprint & Olympic Triathlon is a ultra-flat, loop course course.

HalfRuns editorial — independent, no paid placement.

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