2026 Matt Mason "Cowboy UP" Triathlon/Duathlon

🏆 Event Overview

The Matt Mason “Cowboy UP!” Triathlon/Duathlon has been established to honor, pay tribute, support and celebrate the lives of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. This triathlon is our way to stay close to our dear friend, Matt Mason, and keep his memory alive while focusing on supporting others like him and their families.

🏃‍♂️ Race Distances

• Short Course Duathlon: 1.5 mile run (shotgun start), 11 mile bike course (2 laps), and a 5K run (mostly flat, out and back course).
• Short Course Triathlon: 500 meter swim (time trial start), 11 mile bike course (2 laps), and a 5K run (mostly flat, out and back course).
• Long Course Triathlon: 1,000 meter swim (time trial start), 18.8 mile bike course (4 laps), and a 10K run (mostly flat, out and back course).

📅 Race Day Info

Sunday, July 26, 2026

• 5:00am: Gates Open
• 5:15am: Transition/Body Marking Opens
• 6:15am: Swim Warmup Open
• 7:00am: Race Starts (Long Course athletes in the water first)

Park roads will be closed until the last biker is off the course.

🔄 Transition

Transition opens at 5:15am. All athletes will be body marked. Volunteers will be outside the transition entrance ready to help all athletes as they enter.

🌊 Swim Start

Swim warmup opens at 6:15am. Transition closes at 6:45am and all athletes need to exit the area by that time. Race begins at 7am and long course athletes will enter the water first, followed by short course athletes. The swim course is clockwise, and the start will be a time trial start where athletes enter the water approximately every three seconds. You will see minute marker signs for both short and long course – athletes should place themselves in line according to the swim time that is most comfortable.

🏁 Duathlon Start

Duathlon will shotgun start on the run path to the right of the beach away from the finish line at the same time the short course triathlon swim starts.

🚴 Bike Course

Please keep in mind that there is an incline as you exit transition – please set your bike gears accordingly. After you exit transition, it is approximately 1.6 miles to exit the park and reach Highway E. At this point, you will need to count your loops around the course. Short Course will do 2 loops and Long Course will do 4 loops. There will be a timing box on the bike course for accuracy. A bike course map will be included in your packet.

💧 Aid Stations

There will be water stations along the run course. Short course athletes will pass 2 water stations and Long course athletes will pass 5 water stations.

🏅 Awards

Age group and overall awards will be given for Men and Women for both the Short Course and Long Course Triathlon and Duathlon. The awards ceremony will be held near the finish line after the race.

🗺️ Course Map

The swim, bike and run maps are all available on our website by clicking HERE!

🏆 Midwest Triathlon Series

The Matt Mason "Cowboy UP" Triathlon/Duathlon is one of three events that make up the Midwest Triathlon Series, a three-race challenge held over consecutive weekends.

How the series works:

• Registration: Athletes must register separately for the Midwest Triathlon Series
• Individual Races: Athletes must also register individually for each of the three series races
• Entry: Series registration does not include entry into the individual races

Series Races:

• Matt Mason Memorial Cowboy Up Triathlon
• Shawnee Mission Triathlon & Duathlon
• Kill Creek Park Triathlon, Duathlon, Aquabike & Aquathlon

If you’re planning to race more than one event, we encourage you to register for the series and take on the full challenge.

We look forward to seeing you all soon! Feel free to reach out with any questions!