Hundreds of triathletes will arrive in Hammond to compete in Leon’s Triathlon at Wolf Lake Memorial Park on Sunday, June 4. 2023 marks the 40th anniversary of this racing tradition.
Leon’s Triathlon, dubbed “America’s Race,” has a long legacy of honoring and empowering U.S. service men and women, especially injured military veterans. Leon’s Triathlon partners with a variety of other local, state and national initiatives and organizations throughout the year to recognize and give back to military and first responders.
“We are extremely proud to be supporting Leon’s Triathlon,” said Megan Goodan, Chief Sports & Leisure Office at the South Shore Convention & Visitors Authority. “Working with someone like Leon who is so passionate about this race is very rewarding. He brings the military community together for a great cause and we are hopeful more people will join the mission right here in Northwest Indiana.”
Leon’s Triathlon provides participants with an incredibly scenic, flat and fast event experience. “The City of Hammond is proud to be the host city for one of the premier triathlon events in the country,” stated Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. “Leon and his team have taken this event to a new level, highlighting First Responders, Veterans, and disabled Veterans that participate. As a Veteran and a triathlete, I look forward to this event every year and continue to wish Leon great success.”
Athletes will have the opportunity to compete in the Olympic-distance race with a 1,500-meter swim; 23.2-mile bike and 6.2 mile (10K) run. The Sprint course includes a 750-meter swim; 11.6-mile bike and 3.1 mile (5K) run.
“I am humbled and honored to be celebrating 40 years of this triathlon being held in Indiana, but this race isn’t for me,” stated Leon Wolek, Founder. “These 40 years have been for the men and women that are serving or who have served our country. I have so much respect for our military and veterans, and I never want to take for granted the sacrifices that were made so that we may all enjoy our freedoms.”
Join us Sunday for an opening ceremony that you won’t forget. The ceremony begins at 7:30 am and the event itself starts at 8:00 am. The opening ceremony consists of an 80 x 40 flag, Huey helicopters fly-over and a special presentation with police and bagpipes.
Please be aware that because of the magnitude of this event, the roads surrounding the event start closing down between 7:00 and 7:30 am. We advise you to arrive early to make sure you get there in time.
Leon’s Triathlon also serves as the 2023 USA Triathlon Indiana State Championships and the host site for the 2023 Dare2Tri Paratriathlon Club Injured Military Camp - part of the Paratri Development Series. The Series is the premier national-level racing circuit for new and emerging paratriathletes in the United States. The aim of the series is to provide increased domestic competitive opportunities for the nation’s emerging and developing paratriathletes.
More information at https://leonstriathlon.com/
