This will mark the 16th Annual DAM sprint triathlon & the 7th Annual Duathlon at Lake Gardner in Amesbury, MA. Both events are USAT sanctioned events and managed by a USAT Certified Race Director. This annual local favorite, is just 45 minutes North of Boston and the perfect race for any athlete, beginner to elite alike.
Location: Lake Gardner, Amesbury MA (80 High St)
Eligibility: The minimum racing age is 13 years as of race day if they have demonstrated experience training/racing the distances they plan to race and/or are interested in participating as a member of a relay team.
Pre Race Packet Pickup: Saturday, July 11th from 12-3pm at the Juice House in Amesbury, MA (21 Water Street, Amesbury MA) You are not allowed to pick up for your family members or friends. If you are apart of a team, your whole team must be present to check in. This is strictly enforced by USAT, our governing body **If you are a newbie or haven’t raced in awhile, we highly encourage you take advantage of pre-race packet pickup.
Race Day Packet Pickup: Sunday, July 12th (Race Morning): 6am-7:45AM at Lake Gardner
*Note: Our friends at Riverside Cycle will have a bike mechanic available on race morning for any last minute requests/issues.
Event Day Timeline:
6:00AM Packet Pick-up/Chip Distribution + Transition Opens
7:30AM Packet Pick-Up Closes
7:45AM Transition Closes
7:50AM Athlete Briefing On the Beach
8:00AM First Wave Starts
10:15AM Awards Ceremony Starts
2026 Wave Plan
8:00AM Duathlon & DU Relays
8:03AM Male 44 and Under / Clydesdale
8:06AM Male 45+
8:09AM Female 44 & Under
8:12AM Female 45+ / Athena / Triathlon Relays
8:15AM Rec+Novice / Aquabike / Para / Non-Binary
All pre-registered athletes will receive the following:
Triathlon Details
Swim: The 1/3 mile counter clockwise lake swim is very newbie friendly with a lot of support. Including paddle boarders, kayakers & on land lifeguards. After exiting the water, athletes will run a very short distance up the beach to the parking lot transition. Swim Caps will be provided to all athletes that are required during the swim. The swim cap color will correspond to the wave you are assigned to.
Bike: On this 12.3 mile scenic, rolling course, you’ll travel on quiet roads through a picturesque New England farm country into Southern New Hampshire. The course has a few sharp turns that will be clearly marked. The entire course will be heavily marked with signage and volunteers will be stationed throughout the course. You’ll re-enter Lake Gardner through the main entrance and rack your bike in transition. From there you will head out onto the run. Click here for an integrative course map: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2681875?units=miles
Run: This 3 mile course will be a mix of trail and road offering portions of rollers, flats and a few hills . Your first ¾ of a mile will take you through a well packed, maintained trail, staged parallel to the lake. Beyond the single track trail, sits Battis Farm, a beautiful open field, following a nature trail that will lead you out to a quiet & wide road. Just after mile 2, where you’ll have your 2nd opportunity for fuel, you’ll turn Right onto Rowell St. which is one “DAM” BIG Hill. Once you reach the top of that hill you’ll weave your way back to Lake Gardner to the Finish.
Duathlon Details
This annual Duathlon that will consist of a 2 mile trail run, 12.3 mile bike ride and a 3 mile run.
Run: Your first run leg will consist of a 2 mile run that will weave you through the Amesbury Trail System that sits just parallel to Lake Gardner. You’ll start at 8:00AM on the paved path by the High5EM check in tent. The trail is a well maintained, hard packed surface that is rated as easy terrain. The course will have small red ground flags set throughout the single track trail portion (Stagecoach Trail), and then directional course signage once your off the single track. You’ll be following the Stagecoach trail into Battis Farm, a beautiful open field. You’ll turn around at the parking lot at Battis Farm and heading back the same way back to transition, via the Stagecoach Trail.
Bike: On this 12.3 mile scenic, rolling course, you’ll travel on quiet roads through a picturesque New England farm country into Southern New Hampshire. The course has a few sharp turns that will be clearly marked. The entire course will be heavily marked with signage and volunteers will be stationed throughout the course. You’ll re-enter Lake Gardner through the main entrance and rack your bike in transition. From there you will head out onto the run.
Aquabike Details
Aquabike is a swim and bike combination race. Aquabike races in the United States are often combined with the first two legs of triathlons.
Who are the competitors? Aquabike races are usually comprised of athletes who:
Start: Aquabike athletes will start at 8:15AM.
Finish: Aquabike athletes will dismount their bike at “bike dismount” and cross the finish line with bike in hand. There will be racks at the end of the finish line chute for you to rack your bike there.
Wetsuits: Athletes may wear a wetsuit and be eligible for rankings and prizes if the water temperature is less than 78 degrees. If the temperature is between 79 and 84 degrees, participants wearing a wetsuit will not receive a ranking or be eligible for awards. If the temperature exceeds 84 degrees, wetsuits will not be allowed.
Timing: All athletes will receive 6 timing splits: Swim, transition 1, bike, transition 2, run and overall time.
Results are in real time, meaning results will be immediately made available once people start racing.
Results:
Triathlon Award Categories
Top 3 M/F Overall
Top 3 M/F Age Groups: 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+
Top 3 Clydesdale – Male weight class (Clydesdale) 220 pounds
Top 3 Athena – Female weight class (Athena) 165 pounds
Top 3 M/F Para
Top 3 Tri Relay Teams
Top 3 M/F Novice/Rec
Top 3 Non-Binary
Aquabike Award Categories
Top M/F in Age Groups: 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+
Duathlon Award Categories
Overall Top M/F and Top M/F in age group: 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+ and Top DU Relay Team
Finisher Results Link: https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/Amesbury/DAM
USAT Information/Guidelines/Policies: Your racing age is determined by your age on 12/31/2026.
USA Triathlon (USAT) Rules will apply at the DAM. Please review the rules at www.USATriathlon.org before race day.
DAM GOOD Post Race: Athletes will pick from a variety of packaged refreshments not limited to granola bars, packaged snacks, bananas and more. Your race entry includes 1 free BEER from Mill 77 Brewing for those 21+.
The awards ceremony is scheduled to start at 10:15AM.
Our partnership with Sylvan Street Grille has been renewed so if you’re heading right out of town, consider swinging by Sylvan Street Grille at some point later in the day on the 12th! They are our series wide, year long post race pour provider.
Choose from their Salisbury or Peabody location, anytime, all day! Just show them your race bib on the day of the event to redeem your much earned, free beer or glass of wine!
Parking: Parking is PROHIBITED at race site. Please utilize the following public parking lots. Please abide by all Town signage. There will be NO PARKING signs posted on most streets surrounding Lake Gardner. Your car will be towed if you park there.
Parking: See options below in order of convenience.
–21 Friend Street, Amesbury MA (Public Parking) – 1/4 mile away from race site
–49 Friend Street in Amesbury, MA (Town Hall Parking Lot) – 1/4 mile away from race site
–24 Water Street, Amesbury MA (Public Parking) – Less than 1/2 mile away from race site
–9 School Street, Amesbury MA (Back of the Public Library) – Less than 1/2 Mile away from race site
**AVOID PARKING DOWNTOWN, IN FRONT OF DOWNTON BUSINESSES, THEY’VE IMPLEMENTED 2 HOUR PARKING IN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT.
Charity Partners: This year a portion of proceeds will be allocated to the Amesbury High School Boosters, AHS Class of 2028, Amesbury Park and Recreation Department and more.
Volunteers: Do you know anyone interested in volunteering race weekend? Maybe it’s a friend or family member or work colleague? We have a variety of opportunities for volunteers and we take good care of our volunteers.
Please email Ashley at info@high5em.com
Race Timing: Chip timing provided by our race series partner, Bay State Race Services.
Questions about timing? Email timers@verizon.net
Company Event Policies:
Weather: Races are held in rain, snow or shine unless we determine that race conditions are dangerous. This will be based on a prudent decision made on race weekend. If the race needs to be cancelled there will be no refunds, but we will do our best to establish a postponement date. That being said, if a postponement date cannot be reached with all involved parties, each athlete must accept any such risk of their entry fee paid including other amenities paid for such as t-shirts, insurance, and online administrative fees. All fees collected are used to develop and produce the event, including all race supplies, staffing, and administration.
Course Modifications: Event Management reserves the right to alter, cancel or eliminate any portion of a race at any time in the interest of athlete safety or for other reasons beyond our control. No refunds will be issued under these circumstances.
Refunds/Deferrals: We understand life happens and things may come up. We’ve implemented a defer and transfer policy for FREE up to a certain date for all High5EM events. Transfers or deferments made after said date will incur a small fee for administration purposes. In the case of event cancellation due to public safety, inclement weather or some other unforeseen power at be, the event will either be postponed.
Planning a race is a big step. Here’s some additional information to help you feel confident in your decision.