Amazing Triathlons - Get Excited to Race!

By Darryl Caron

            Triathlon may be the coolest participation sport… Three sports in one, cool bikes, relays, body markings, challenged athletes, craziness factor, friendly volunteers, courses and venues, competitors, camaraderie, and the finish line!

            On Sunday, July 22, the 20th annual Ironman Lake Placid will test the limits of 3,000 triathletes from around the world at the High Peaks village of Lake Placid. A favorite race among competitors, IMLP is the second oldest Ironman, on one of the sport’s most beautiful and iconic courses. The 140.6-mile race begins with athletes entering pristine Mirror Lake for a 2.4-mile swim, followed by a demanding 112-mile bike leg, and then a challenging 26.2-mile marathon that ends at the Olympic Speed Skating Oval with the legendary Mike Reilly announcing “You are an Ironman!”

            As one competitor said, “I loved the whole atmosphere. The positive energy and excitement was palpable. The volunteers and spectator support is amazing and the finish line is incredible.” Congrats to the five who have raced annually since 1999: Brian Delaney, Richard Donnelly, Woody Freese, Andrew Fried and Jeff Gura. The second annual Ironman 70.3 Lake Placid takes place on Sunday, September 9 on an identical course, but with just one loop of each discipline. (ironman.com)

            On September 1-2, the Lake George Triathlon Festival at Battlefield Park in the village of Lake George features the Lake George Tri, BIG George Tri, Aquabike, team relays – and, of course, Prince and King George! Saturday’s 13th annual Lake George Triathlon is an Olympic distance with a 0.9-mile swim, 24.8-mile bike and 6.2-mile run. Sunday’s ninth annual BIG George Triathlon is a half Iron distance with a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run. At the same time on Sunday, the Aquabike is a 1.2-mile swim and 56-mile bike – yes, you get to skip the run! If a group effort is your path to glory, there are Olympic and Half distance two- and three-person team relays. Register early for great swag.

Now, welcome to the crazies… If you’re feeling strong, Prince George is completing the Olympic on Saturday and Aquabike on Sunday. If you’re feeling really strong, complete the Olympic on Saturday and Half on Sunday. If you’re up to the challenge, you get something extra and a growler to fill at Adirondack Pub & Brewery. The LGTF is produced by Adirondack Race Management, a small group of local business pros and athletes who are passionate about hosting fun and challenging events for all ages and experience levels. As one competitor said, “I’m coming back and bringing all my friends!” (adkracemgmt.com)

EIGHT GREAT RACES IN AMAZING PLACES

• XTERRA SKYHIGH Off-Road Triathlon – The 19th annual race is on Saturday, July 14 at Grafton Lakes State Park. The course will challenge novice and expert alike with a 1K lake swim, 20K mountain bike with a mix of technical and fast sections, and “famous” 6K trail run with a grueling climb up to the fire tower, before finishing on the beach. It’s followed by the popular SKYHIGH Kids’ Triathlon, which is a 100m shallow-water swim, three-loop 5K bike on dirt trails and park roads, and a flat 1K out-and-back trail run. Family and friends will cheer the athletes in at the finish line. (skyhighadventres.com)
• Vermont Sun Triathlon Series – On Sunday, July 15, the 33rd annual Vermont Sun Triathlon has a 600-yard swim, 14-mile bike and 3.1-mile run. On the same day, the inaugural Branbury Classic is a 1.5-mile paddle, 14-mile bike and 3.1-mile run – perfect for the non-swimmer! Based at Branbury State Park on Lake Dunmore, the events are in the Green Mountains of central Vermont. On Sunday, August 8, the Vermont Sun Triathlon happens again. On the same day, it’s accompanied by the Lake Dunmore Triathlon with a 1600-yard swim, 28-mile bike and 6.2-mile run. The races are open to individuals and teams, and all offer an Aquabike option. (vermontsun.com)
• Piseco Lake Triathlon – The 33rd annual sprint triathlon is on Saturday, July 21 at the small community of Piseco, in the southern the Adirondacks. The 0.5-mile Piseco Lake swim starts on the beach at the historic Irondequoit Inn, followed by an 11.5-mile bike around the scenic lake to the Piseco School, and then a three-mile run to the finish at Piseco Airport. The race is open to individuals and two- or three-person teams. (speculatorchamber.com)
• Duanesburg Triathlon – On Saturday, July 28 the Duanesburg YMCA’s triathlon is open to everyone – an event the whole family can enjoy. It’s based at the Mariaville Bed & Breakfast and Duanesburg YMCA. The 325-yard out-and-back swim is in beautiful Mariaville Lake, a 10-mile bike winds around the lake, and the 3.1-mile run leg finishes in front of the Y. It’s open to individuals and three-person teams. (cdymca.org)
• Crystal Lake Triathlon – The 18th annual race will be on Saturday, August 18 at Crystal Cove in Averill Park. The 0.5-mile swim is in the calm water of Crystal Lake, 18-mile bike is an out-and-back on newly paved roads, and three-mile run is a mostly-flat loop around the lake. The Aquabike option is back. The USA Triathlon-sanctioned event is limited to 300 racers, with discounted fees for youth entry, so register early for awesome swag. It’s the toughest sprint bike course in the area and you can preview it every Tuesday night at CDTC’s Crystal Lake Training Series. Hosted by Capital District Triathlon Club, one of the largest multisport clubs in the Northeast, that’s been promoting a healthy lifestyle since 1993. (cdtriclub.org)
• Cassadaga Kids’ Triathlon – Also on August 18, at the village of Cassadaga in western New York, they’re calling all active kids that want to join in a fun competition, stay fit and learn new skills. Athletes swim in Cassadaga Lake, cycle around the lake, and run next to the lake. Ages 11-under: 100m swim, three-mile bike, one-mile run. Ages 12-17: 200m swim, six-mile bike, one-mile run. Free training days are held at the race site on July 7, 14, 21 and August 4. (coachmarkwilson.com)
• Greene County Triathlon – On Saturday, September 8, the Greene County YMCA’s triathlon is held at Sleepy Hollow Lake in Athens – a planned recreational lake and residential community in between the Taconic and Catskill mountains. It’s a great event for first-timers and seasoned triathletes, with a 350-yard swim, 11.5-mile scenic country bike ride, and 5K run through the community. The race is open to individuals and two- or three-person teams. (runsignup.com)
• Josh Billings Triathlon – “The Josh” is on Sunday, September 16 in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, celebrating 42 years. Five-hundred teams start in Great Barrington and bike 27 miles through five towns of scenic roads to Stockbridge Bowl in Stockbridge to handoff the wristband to paddlers. Canoeists, kayakers and SUPs sprint five miles around the lake ending at Camp Mah-Kee-Nac where the wristband is tossed to runners. Runners go six miles around the lake and finish at Tanglewood Music Festival in Lenox where friends, family and fans cheer on the finishers. Everyone joins the after party and there’s a free kid’s race. There are 43 categories for teams and iron-persons with separate divisions for canoes, kayaks and SUPs. (joshbillings.com)

Bring the family, bust your lungs, and test your resolve… Now get registered, train well and race smart.