Taking place in and around Lake Michigan, the Whirlpool Steelhead 70.3 Triathlon is popular race in the Ironman 70.3 series and is a qualifying race for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships.

Like all 70.3 events, the distances for Steelhead are as follows:
* SWIM: 1.2 miles
* BIKE: 56 miles
* RUN: 13.1 miles

Steelhead is a fairly challenging course with choppy water on the swim and number of rolling hills on the bike that can be both steep and technical at times. There is very little flat on this course!

The race is put on by [Capri Events], who are also the organizers of such races as [Chicago Turkey Trot], [Rudolph Ramble], [McDonald's Kids Triathlon] and [Accenture Chicago Triathlon].

SWIM
distance: 1.2 miles

The race features a point-to-point swim in Lake Michigan. It is a beach start. The race officials always ensure that swimmers flow in the direction of the lake current. If the current is flowing from south to north, the swim starts at Tiscornia Park. If the current is flowing from north to southc, the swim starts at Rocky Gap Park. In either case, the swim finishes at Jean Klock Park. There is about a 150 yard distance between the finish of the swim and the entrance to transition.

Water temperatures are usually between 60 and 74 degrees so wetsuits are allowed. The water depth is rarely more than 12 feet so, depending on the winds, the water may be choppy. Expect waves up to 3 feet high.

BIKE
distance: 56 miles

The bike course travels through Berrien and Van Burne counties in southwest Michigan, otherwise known as the "fruit belt" for the abundance of blueberry, strawberry and raspberry farms.

RUN
distance: 13.1 miles

The run features rolling hills and can be challenging with tired legs.