The Final Edinboro Triathlon Presented by PNC Bank Takes Place Saturday

Nearly 300 athletes will swim, run and bike through Edinboro Saturday as the Edinboro Triathlon presented by PNC Bank gears up for its final year. The 35^th edition of the event will once again see Pat Crawford Beach along Edinboro Lake serve as the start, transition areas and finish line. This will be the last year of the race, as event organizers have determined it is too logistically complicated to continue to host the race in Edinboro.

“Our team is grateful to all who have raced or volunteered at The Edinboro Triathlon for the "bonus years" since the revival in 2019; these past seasons we tried new routes and strategies. Time and again, we re-visited options of feasibility and sustainability for this historic race, but we are confident the event is at its natural end,” said Race Director Lauren Eckendorf. “This race has touched many lives, and mine is one. Thanks to the continued support of PNC Bank and our other sponsors, this Saturday will be the opportunity to celebrate Edinboro's Triathlon, knowing it is the last one.”

Dating back to 1986, more than 6,000 athletes have taken on the Edinboro Triathlon as it has evolved over the years. In its current – and final – form, the USA Triathlon-sanctioned event offers three races: an individual sprint triathlon (750-yard swim, 11.2-mile bike and 3.1-mile run), an individual sprint aquabike (750-yard swim and 11.2-mile bike) and a 2-3-person sprint triathlon relay (750-yard swim, 11.2-mile bike and 3.1-mile run).

The event has historically benefitted from community involvement, with local non-profits and groups contributing to make the Edinboro Triathlon possible. In turn, proceeds from the event primarily benefit those groups, with more than $200,000 donated back to the Edinboro area since the event’s inception.

The support of PNC Bank has allowed the Edinboro Triathlon to carry on the race’s historic tradition and continue growing the sport of triathlon in the Erie and Edinboro region.

“As a Main Street bank, PNC is pleased to support events like the Edinboro Triathlon that celebrate community, bring families together and promote health and wellness in our region,” said Jim Stevenson, PNC regional president for Northwestern Pennsylvania. “We have been proud to be part of this event in recent years, and it has been great to see the benefit to the Edinboro community and surrounding areas.”

Athlete check-in will begin on 7 a.m. Saturday, with the races kicking off at 8:30 a.m. Packet pick-up will be available starting Friday evening. More information on race day is available at https://edinborotriathlon.blog/.

“What Lauren and Josh Eckendorf have been able to do with the Edinboro Triathlon over these last few years has been great to watch, and we’re confident that if they say it’s time – it’s time,” said Erie Sports Commission Executive Director Mark Jeanneret. “The Edinboro Triathlon has been a community gem for decades, and we’re excited to celebrate the finale on Saturday.”