Thursday, October 1, 2026
MANSON — The Chelanathon is expanding its lineup and adding a new initiative aimed at directing some of the economic activity generated by the September race toward Lake Chelan Valley businesses.
The second annual Chelanathon is scheduled for Sept. 19 and will feature the Olympic, sprint and relay triathlons offered during last year’s inaugural event, along with three new races: an aqua-bike, 10K run and Kids Splash & Dash.
Organizers also have launched the Chelanathon Community Catalyst Program, which will give local businesses opportunities to promote themselves to the athletes, families, volunteers and spectators expected to attend the event.
Jeff Crosby, founder of Chelanathon and owner of Mill Bay Marine, said the program is intended to help local businesses during a difficult tourism season.
“When we relaunched Chelanathon last year, we wanted to bring back some of the energy and excitement that multisport racing has historically brought to Lake Chelan,” Crosby said. “This year, we expect more than 1,000 people to come to the region to participate, volunteer, and cheer. We want to help local businesses connect with those visitors and give them even more reasons to experience what makes this area special.”
The program is free for local businesses. Participating businesses can host a booth at the event, provide coupons or flyers for race bags, display signage, create special offers for Chelanathon weekend or develop other ways to connect with participants and visitors.
Businesses also can contribute raffle prizes, gift certificates, merchandise or other items for racers and volunteers. Participating businesses will be recognized through on-site announcements and Chelanathon email communications.
The program comes as businesses in the Lake Chelan Valley contend with a challenging summer tourism season. Organizers cited wildfires, smoke, higher gas prices and a broader economic slowdown as factors that have affected tourism in the area.
Crosby said the race itself represents a significant investment in the community.
“Chelanathon is an investment in the community that has been part of my family for decades,” Crosby said. “We have made the decision to cover the majority of the race costs ourselves, an investment that will be upwards of $70,000 this year, while still making donations to local youth sports organizations. Last year, those donations totaled more than $5,000. We do it because we believe this event can be more than a race. It can bring people here, create energy around the community, support local businesses, and give something back to the organizations that make this a great place to live.”
The expanded race lineup gives participants more options than the inaugural event.
The Olympic Triathlon consists of a 1-mile swim, 24.2-mile bike ride and 6.3-mile run. The Sprint Triathlon includes a half-mile swim, 12.1-mile bike ride and 3.1-mile run. The Olympic Relay follows the same course as the Olympic Triathlon and is completed by a team of two to three racers.
The new aqua-bike combines swimming and cycling, while the 10K offers a running-only option. The Kids Splash & Dash is designed to introduce younger participants to the event.
The expansion follows what organizers described as the success of the 2025 Chelanathon, which drew nearly 500 participants in its first year.
Crosby launched the event as an effort to revive the spirit of the former Chelanman triathlon, which ended after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re really excited about putting on this event for local businesses in the Chelan Valley area,” Crosby said last year. “Chelanman did a great job, and it got shut down due to COVID, and they never brought it back. We thought, well, maybe we can bring back that type of weekend. That’s how the Chelanathon got created.”
The 2026 event will again showcase Lake Chelan and the surrounding valley while bringing athletes and their families into the community.
Organizers expect more than 1,000 people to participate, volunteer or attend the event this year.
Businesses interested in participating in the Community Catalyst Program can contact marc@chelanathon.com for more information.
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