The Trident and the Rising Trident
One Season. Three Races. Two Legendary Trophies.
One race is a challenge. Three races is a legacy. Finish all three Raise the Bar triathlons in 2027 and earn a custom-crafted, heavy-duty trophy for the athletes who go the distance.
The Three Stages
The Trident
Finish the Olympic triathlon at Black Diamond, Lake Meridian, and Bonney Lake and earn the Trident. When you cross the finish line at Bonney Lake, the Trident is placed in your hands: the ultimate symbol of a season well fought.
The Rising Trident
Racing the Sprint? Finish the Sprint at all three races and earn the Rising Trident. High school athletes count too: you can race the High School Sprint at any of the three, and you can mix the High School Sprint and the adult Sprint across the season. Pick one Sprint option at each race.
Think of it as a ladder. The Rising Trident is your first step, and the Trident is the next one.
What Counts
- Trident: the Olympic triathlon at each of the three races.
- Rising Trident: the Sprint or the High School Sprint at each of the three races.
- Super Sprint and relay events do not count toward either award.
Where You Get It
Both awards are presented at the Bonney Lake finish line, the Grand Finale.
The Bundles (Optional)
Register for all three races at once with a bundle and save. There's a Trident Bundle for the Olympic and a Rising Trident Bundle for the Sprint and High School Sprint. Bundles are a discount, not a requirement: you can register for each race separately and still earn your trophy as long as you finish all three. Bundle details will be posted on the registration page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to buy a bundle? +
No. Bundles are optional and only offer a discount.
How do you track who qualifies? +
We match finishers across the three races by name and date of birth. Bibs are nontransferable, so the athlete who registers must be the athlete who races.
What if I don't finish, or I miss a race? +
Each award requires a finish at all three races. A DNF or a missed race means you don't qualify for that year's award.
What if I defer one of the races? +
A deferral doesn't count toward the 2027 awards, because each race must be completed this season. See each race's refund and deferral policy for details.
Can I mix Olympic and Sprint races? +
No. Each award requires the same distance at all three races: the Olympic for the Trident, or the Sprint (adult or High School) for the Rising Trident.
Is the Rising Trident part of the USA Triathlon High School Series? +
No. They're separate. The Rising Trident is a Raise the Bar award for finishing all three races. The USA Triathlon High School Series has its own points and awards. See the High School page on each race website for details.
I raced the Sprint last year. Can I still join? +
Absolutely. Race the Sprint at all three and earn the Rising Trident, or step up to the Olympic and go for the Trident.