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Fun Winter-Spring Multisport Races
By Darryl Caron
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Multisport events are fun races or endurance challenges to some and serious athletic events to others. They appeal to outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy winter sports such as alpine skiing, cross country skiing, and summer sports like road and mountain biking, canoeing or kayaking, and running.
So make your plans – and start training – now! There are four multisport events in April; the first is the Adirondack Pole Pedal Paddle in North Creek. In the Catskills, The Prelude (March 31) and The Kaaterskill Rush, and the Sugarbush Triathlon in Vermont. On Memorial Day Weekend in May, don't forget the Killington Triathlon in Vermont.
No two races are alike, but they all capture the excitement and diversity of multisport enthusiasts of all ages and athletic abilities. The early spring weather can wreak havoc, as it did last year when the region received 14-18 inches of wet snow on April 1—no foolin! So get off the couch, and get outside. Often times, they end up being great family memories, photo opportunities with friends, or just epic Monday morning water cooler stories at the office.
Adirondack Pole Pedal Paddle |
On Sunday, April 1, the Adirondack Pole Pedal Paddle will take place at Gore Mountain in North Creek. Dubbed "the original Adirondack quadathalon," the Pole Pedal Paddle includes a 5-kilometer alpine ski, 4-kilometer cross country ski, 6-mile bike ride on the road, and a 4.5 mile paddle course on the mighty Hudson River. Be advised that snow conditions may require the cross country leg to be changed to running. Helmets are required for every leg except cross-country skiing.
There are team and individual categories, and entrants will compete for cash prizes. Teams can be comprised of two to five people, and must include at least one female member. Men or women who wish to complete all four events themselves can register for Ironmen or Ironwomen. The entry fee is $20 per person, and the race begins at 10:30 am. For information, call (518) 251-2411, visit www.goremountain.com or preregister at www.active.com.
The Prelude &
Rip Van Winkle's Kaaterskill Rush
There are not one, but two multisport challenges to choose from in the
northern Catskills, The Prelude and Rip's Kaaterskill Rush.
On Saturday, March 31, The Prelude, "the supreme 24-mile multisport triathlon," starts and finishes at Ski Windham. The event is for individuals or teams of 2 or 3 competitors. At the top of the mountain, the racers run 1/2 mile to separate the skiers, then strap on their skis and proceed down a 1-mile trail. Next, participants bicycle 17-miles on scenic country roads, and finally run a 6-mile leg. The entry fee is $40 for individuals and $65 for 2-3 person teams.
On Sunday, April 1, Rip's Kaaterskill Rush, "the ultimate 67-mile multisport endurance challenge," starts at Hunter Mountain and finishes at Sleepy Hollow Lake. The event is for individuals or teams of 2 competitors. At the top of the mountain, racers run 1/2 mile to separate the skiers, then strap on their skis and proceed down a 2-mile trail. Next, bicyclists travel 50-miles on a route that is symbolic of the melting snow in the Catskills, beginning in the hill towns and descending to the Hudson River.
In the last two segments, competitors run a 12-mile loop and then canoe 3-miles on the lake, where spectators can view and cheer. The entry fee is $65 for individuals and $115 for 2 person teams. For more information, call (518) 943-3223 or visit www.greene-ny.com.
Sugarbush Triathlon
On April 6-8, Waitsfield, in the Mad River Valley of Vermont, will host
the Vermont Adventure Games. The weekend culminates with the 23rd Sugarbush
Triathlon – actually a quadathlon – on Sunday, April 8 at 11
am. The race bills itself as "America's only four-event triathlon."
Disciplines include a 5-mile run, 6-mile canoe or kayak paddle on the
Mad River, 8-mile road bike, and 5-kilometer cross-country ski. Upwards
of 1000 competitors are expected from throughout the Northeast.
"We introduced The Games last year, our turnout for the Triathlon was fantastic. We really delivered an unforgettable adventure race for the 674 athletes who endured 14 inches of snow in near blizzard like conditions," says event director Rob Center. "This year everyone hopes for the return of more temperate weather."
The Adventure Games weekend features spring skiing at Sugarbush and Mad River Glen, a Community Fitness Walk, the Valley Kids' Triathlon with pond kayaking, running, and biking (6 – 13 years), a Shoe'n Slide'n Duathlon at Sugarbush's Lincoln Peak (snowshoe up/sled down), adventure sports clinics and demos (running, paddling and cycling), and a Full Moon Snowshoe Tour. For information and registration forms, call (800) 517-4247 or visit www.vtadventuregames.org.
Killington Memorial Day Triathlon
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As part of Rage Weekend May 26-28 at Killington in Vermont, there will be plenty of sun (hopefully!), fun, snow, and mud for the Killington Memorial Day Triathlon on Sunday, May 27.
The 11th Annual Triathlon is the largest event of Rage Weekend, and it makes a perfect segue from spring into summer. The grueling test of endurance and skill begins at 10 am with a skiing or snowboarding run down the Superstar Trail. Next, racers trade their boards for mountain bikes and ride a typically muddy 6.2-mile cross-country course on Killington's mountain bike trails. The last leg of the competition is a 3-mile trail run.
Athletes compete for an assortment of prizes. The race is limited to the first 500 competitors and costs $35 for season pass holders and $45 for non-season pass holders. For information and registration forms, call (802) 422-1700 or visit www.killington.com.
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The Rage Weekend begins on Saturday with a kayak relay race for teams of two across Snowshed pond. Want more? On Monday, the Killington Klimb will help use up that extra energy – it's a running race to the top of 4,241-foot Killington Peak.
One thing is common to all races, "race management reserves the right to change race course and format based on weather and traffic conditions." But as the Sugarbush Triathlon proved last year, the show will go on.
What else can I say…get off the couch, get out there and have fun! [Editor's note: The writer may be partly speaking to himself.]
Darryl Caron is publisher of Adirondack Sports & Fitness, based
in Clifton Park, NY. He loves snow and mud! And, his wife and children,
of course…
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