DAVENPORT, IOWA (August 26, 2025) — Join River Action for our 20th annual Taming of the Slough Adventure Triathlon this fall to paddle, mountain bike, and run your way to the top! This year's Taming of the Slough will take place on Saturday, September 13th, downtown Moline at Bass Street YMCA (1701 1st Ave Moline, Illinois) and begins promptly at 8AM. No, that’s not a typo! 😊
Registration is now open online at tamingoftheslough.org. Take advantage of early bird pricing for youth and adults prior to September 12 and 13, when prices go up. Do not delay! Online registration closes September 11, midnight.
The route takes you through the Sylvan Slough by kayak or canoe, then through one of the Quad Cities excellent single-track mountain bike trails on Sylvan Island and finishes with a run on the Rock Island Arsenal Island.
When do I need to be there?
September 13. The race begins promptly at 8AM; pre-race instructions and announcements start at 7:45AM outside of the Bass Street YMCA. Please arrive prior to 7:30 to register or check in if you didn't register in advance or for same day packet pick-up.
Where does this take place?
Race location is 1701 1st Ave Moline at the Bass Street YMCA. All transitions take place at the foot of 17th Street outside the Bass Street YMCA in downtown Moline.
Race Details
Compete individually, as a two-person team, or form a three-person relay-team to Tame the Slough!
The Boat (Kayak or Canoe) is a 2.5-mile paddle in the Sylvan Slough.
The Bike is a short ride to Sylvan Island for a challenging mountain bike course returning to the Bass Street YMCA (2.5 miles paved, five miles off-road).
The Run is two miles on the Rock Island Arsenal Island. Chip timers must be handed off in the transition area.
Note: We do not give out gold medals; you will get a rock!
Tune Up for Taming:
Tune Up is a series of training sessions open to Taming of the Slough racers and amateurs who want to try just for fun. Meet at the foot of 17th Street outside the Bass Street YMCA, downtown Moline. Sylvan Island Mountain bike course will be very similar to the race day setup.
Tune Up for Taming Schedule:
September 4, 2025, 5:30-7PM
September 11, 2025, 5:30-7PM
Get prepared for Taming of the Slough or just enjoy some time on the river, or bike the off-road trails on Sylvan Island. It's a fun and loosely structured event promoting adventure sports in the Quad Cities for amateurs and racers alike.
Bring your own boat and mountain bike to try out the track.
Team Up for Taming:
Want to do this race as a relay team, but cannot find anybody to commit? Join us at one of our events beforehand and meet up with like-minded people to find the missing link to build your two- or three-person team! Time(s) and location(s) TBD, so stay tuned!
Registration:
Early registration prior to 9/12 pricing as follows: $30 for Individual Adults. Youth (Age 12-17) individual is $15. A two-person adult Team is $50. A three-person relay team is $65.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer opportunities are wide-ranging; call River Action, 563-322-2969.
