Always at the Forefront
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For some endurance athletes, the finish line is the ultimate destination. For Big Blue Adventure, that’s just part of the journey. It’s about building a community of athletes of all levels and encouraging everyone to become the best versions of themselves in the process.
Featuring an extensive and exciting lineup of endurance events including triathlons, open water swims, marathons, bike races and adventure races across the Tahoe-Truckee region, Big Blue Adventure has dominated the racing scene and has grown a dedicated community of locals and visitors of all ages and abilities, many of whom participate in a variety of these events throughout the season.
Photo: Big Blue Adventure has a vibrant community of athletes in the region. Photo Credit: Big Blue Adventure
From their signature events including Lake Tahoe Triathlon, Donner Lake Triathlon, Emerald Bay Trail Run and the Sierra Open Water Swim Series, Big Blue Adventure has made a huge impact in the racing scene here in Tahoe, offering exciting yearly events for athletes to train for and compete in against some of the most beautiful backdrops in the world. Ranging from 5k to 100k Ultras, these events inspire endurance athletes at every level to achieve personal greatness and conquer mental and physical challenges.
Todd Jackson, owner and event director of Big Blue Adventure, has shaped the company into more than a roster of events. He has built a strong community of athletes from the Tahoe-Truckee region and beyond including Reno, Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area. With more 20 years of experience producing events throughout the region, Jackson understands that creating a legendary race is more than just putting a start and finish line on a map. It’s about creating experiences that connect people to the terrain, and each other.
Through these courses, athletes find themselves running, cycling, swimming and kayaking or paddleboarding through stunning landscapes, challenging themselves in varying conditions and altitudes.
And Big Blue Adventure understands that to enjoy these courses, we must be strong environmental stewards. Big Blue Adventure is committed to zero-waste protocols, leave-no-trace practices and partnering with local nonprofits to keep our trails, lake and community parks in pristine condition. The hope is to foster a belief that adventure and conservation need to coexist for generations to enjoy.
I interviewed Todd Jackson to learn more about Big Blue Adventure, what makes their races and community so special, and what it takes to create such incredible events. I personally have competed in their events and have seen firsthand how electric the energy is, how motivated I am to come back for the competition and community and how hard they work to make these events fun, challenging and stress-free.
Big Blue Adventure builds more than endurance races and challenges. They build community. Photo Credit: Big Blue Adventure
What inspired you to start Big Blue Adventure and create endurance races in the Lake Tahoe region?
My primary inspiration came from a lifelong passion for the outdoors and a desire to showcase Lake Tahoe’s world-class trails, alpine terrain and crystal-clear waters. With more than 20 years in endurance sports and adventure racing production, I recognized Lake Tahoe as an unparalleled setting for human-powered sports.
I wanted to create opportunities for both local residents and visitors to challenge themselves, adopt healthy lifestyles and experience this environment in ways that push them beyond their normal limits.
How has Big Blue Adventure evolved over the years?
Big Blue Adventure began with a simple passion: bringing high-quality endurance races to Lake Tahoe's world-class outdoor playground. Over the years, we've evolved through diversification and community. We expanded from small local events into a full annual calendar of more than 20 races across Tahoe, Truckee and Reno. Rather than focusing on a single sport, we built events for mountain bikers, trail runners, open-water swimmers, paddleboarders and triathletes of all skill levels.
The feeling of a race is something you just have to experience for yourself. Photo Credit: Big Blue Adventure
What are some of the most popular events, and do you have any new events planned?
Our most popular, and most well-known events throughout the region include:
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Donner Lake Triathlon: One of California's longest-running and most beloved triathlons, this historic event features Half, Olympic, Sprint, Kids, Duathlon and Aquabike formats in Truckee.
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Emerald Bay Trail Run: Named "One of America’s Most Scenic Trail Runs" by Competitor Magazine, this 7-mile point-to-point race follows the Rubicon Trail with views of Emerald Bay and Fannette Island.
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Burton Creek Trail Run: Winding through pine forests and Sierra meadows in Burton Creek State Park, the Half Marathon option is widely considered one of the best trail races in the Lake Tahoe region.
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Lake Tahoe Triathlon & Open Water Swim: This event takes place at Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park, where athletes can swim in Lake Tahoe's clear waters, followed by trail runs and scenic cycling routes.
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Big Chief 50K & Marlette 50K Ultra Races: Premier ultra-endurance trail races featuring rugged alpine singletrack, substantial elevation gain and sweeping lake vistas.
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Truckee Half Marathon & 5K: A community favorite that starts and finishes in Historic Downtown Truckee, showcasing Donner Lake and the Trout Creek Trail.
We also have an exciting lineup of new events, including:
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Revived Tahoe 100: Revived with a brand-new course, this premier mountain bike endurance race offers 100K and 50K options through Sierra singletrack and fire roads.
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Sand Harbor Shark Fest Swim: A high-energy open-water swim event at Sand Harbor State Park, joining the Sierra Open Water Swim Series.
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Return of the Tahoe Trail Running Champion Points Series: The much-anticipated return of the competitive series allowing participants to earn points across events throughout the season.
What does it take to create an event, and what goes on behind the scenes during race day?
Creating an event takes a lot of factors into account, such as permitting with several federal, state and local agencies as well as safety planning, traffic control, course logistics and route design. During the event, we have early mornings for event set-up, course marking, aid station deployment, staff and volunteer planning, timing, awards and food and beverages for all the participants.
No better way to start the day than a race! Photo Credit: Big Blue Adventure
What makes the endurance racing community so special?
All our participants cover the same course and terrain, which creates an immediate bond. There is a wide range of ages, skills and fitness levels, and all are welcome in our community. There is an appreciation for and connection to the outdoors and the landscape. Lifelong friendships are formed during these races.
What are some of your most memorable moments or events?
Early mornings at iconic locations. Thousands of smiles at the finish line. Positive feedback from participants. Designing a course that is enjoyable and rewarding. Working with our great crew over the years.
What are some of your goals for the future of Big Blue Adventure?
Continue to produce rewarding event experiences for all ages and abilities in the region and serve athletes from all over.
A cyclist taking in the views of Donner Lake. Photo Credit: Big Blue Adventure
What advice would you give for someone looking to get involved in endurance racing and training for their first event?
Get out for a Big Blue Adventure! Here, you will meet a variety of other athletes at your level that you can train with and higher levels that can be your mentor or inspiration. Getting out there is the first step, and from here you can get a feel of what it is like. Regarding training, just making a plan that you can stick to. We have a strong community that is happy to offer tips and help out so reaching out to other people can be a great resource.
On a personal level, what makes the Tahoe-Truckee region so special and where are some of your favorite spots for adventure and outdoor recreation?
Living in the forest. Having access to an epic trail system just out the front door, racing sailboats on Lake Tahoe, the community of friends and family and trying to experience as many sides, peaks and views as possible.
More Information on Big Blue Adventure
Join their Facebook Community Group
Kayakers line up to start their adventure race. Photo Credit: Big Blue Adventure
About the Author Kirsten Alexis
Kirsten is an outdoor adventure enthusiast, writer and photographer. You can typically find her hiking, paddleboarding, cross-country skiing and checking out new spots to share in the Tahoe Donner region. She has been lucky to call Tahoe her second home since she was a child and aims to inspire people to experience Tahoe and fall in love with the beauty and adventurous spirit of the region through her blogs and content. 
