Howard Amon Park, Columbia River swim
Use the current without forcing your stroke
The Columbia River's current carries you toward transition. Settle into rhythm rather than fighting it.
Seed honestly. Settle into rhythm.
Race Finder IRONMAN 70.3 Washington Tri-Cities.
Race Intelligence · Richland, United States
IRONMAN 70.3 Washington Tri-Cities.
Race Richland on your terms.
The Columbia River can move you along faster than your swimming would suggest. That's a gift, but it isn't extra fitness to spend on the bike. The streets of Richland and the riverfront run still expect a measured performance.
Richland, Washington, seen from the slopes of Badger Mountain.
- Race day
- 20 Sept 2026
- Course
- Swim 1.9 km · Bike 90 km · Run 21.1 km
- Historical air
- 12–26°C
Your day in Richland
What could you race?
I’m Tom, the coach behind Sense Endurance Coaching. Tell me where you are now and I’ll show you what a strong day in Richland could look like.
The course behind your race
A quick downstream split is no licence to ride harder.
The 2026 race swims down the Columbia, rides through Richland and West Richland and brings you back to a riverfront finish at Columbia Point. The current can make a swim split flattering; don't let it make your bike pacing ambitious. The 2027 route still needs its own map.
Richland region, first cycling stage
Establish sensible power after the quick water
Rolling hills through scenic wine country invite surging on every rise. Hold one steady power number instead.
Hold a steady number. Fuel early.
West Richland cycling roads, middle stage
Keep food and drink consistent
Finish your nutrition and hold effort through the remaining rolling terrain before the flat riverside run.
Stay patient. Finish planned nutrition.
Richland bike return, final stage
Leave the riverfront run available
Let the outbound half of the riverside path feel easy, not fast.
Easy first aid station. Check posture.
Columbia Point riverfront, run finish
Let the opening riverside kilometres stay comfortable
Only progress once the outbound half has held together.
Stay tall. Choose the last move late.
What to check in race week
Confirm the 2027 race date and Columbia River swim entry, then the current Richland bike roads and Columbia Point run turnarounds. Check the river flow, road closures and aid. Treat the 2026 course as an illustration, not the exact coming-year itinerary.
Forecast statusToo early for a forecast
A race-day forecast is not meaningful yet; check back closer to the event.
- Temperature
- 12.4–26.1°CDew point centred on 7.9°C
- Wind and gusts
- 8.1 km/hGusts up to 35.3 km/hPrevailing direction WSW
- Rain likelihood
- Up to 40%Wet-surface uncertainty retained
Historical baseline, 2019–2025 · Open-Meteo historical archive · Updated 2026-09-13.Historical comparison only. This is not a forecast for 2026.
The race-week briefing signup has closed.
Prepare for Richland
Build the legs.
Practise the decisions.
A finish range gives you something to work towards. The preparation is specific to this race: swim navigation uses the river without over-exertion, and a controlled bike leaves the athlete able to run steadily on the Columbia waterfront.
I’m Tom. With Sense Endurance Coaching, I’ll build that preparation around your life, follow how you respond and adjust the work as you get closer to Richland.
Explore coachingTrisutto certified80/20 Endurance certifiedBrett Sutton’s Coach the Coach programme
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Method
