Third Annual LPC Tri: Swim in, Ride on and Run
out! The LPC Triathlon, part of the 60s/70s-themed USAT Retro series, is
the perfect event in which to challenge one’s self, regardless of competition
experience athletic prowess. Held upon the beautiful
grounds of Leila Patterson Center in Fletcher, NC, it features a 200 yard pool
swim, a 17.5 mile bike on quiet country roads, and a rolling 5k run with an
on-track finale in which to summon your mighty kick to the tape! Both
individuals and relay teams are encouraged to join in, and you don’t have to be
a three-sport athlete to participate. In the LPC Triathlon Team Competition,
you can opt for the sport of your choosing, and just swim, bike, or run as part
of a team. While LPC events are timed, and your results will be made available
after the event, we emphasize participation over competition. This is meant to
be a great time for everyone: participants, volunteers and supporters alike!
What is the USAT Retro Series? Drawing more than
700 athletes in the inaugural Retro Tri Series in 2013, these events are geared
toward adult and youth competitors ages 13 and older. Each race features a
shorter swim, 10-20 mile bike ride, and a 2-5 kilometer run. Celebrating the
retro spirit of triathlon’s early roots in the 1970s, participants are welcome
to wear retro-themed attire to heighten the fun and create some atmosphere.
Retro Series Events focus on participant fun rather than competition, and some
of the events are not timed. The aim is to introduce triathlon to participants,
and educate them about the perks of a healthy, active, multisport lifestyle.
Events are open to first-timers, seasoned veterans and those just wanting to
stay active. Proffering swimming, biking and running in a safe atmosphere, each
event is sanctioned by USA Triathlon. Seven of the 2013 events are again on the
schedule for this year, and each of USA Triathlon’s 10 regions are represented
on the schedule.
KIDS CAN DO IT TOO!! Bring out your little
champions to help enjoy the fun, because the LPC Kid’s MultiSport Events, part
of our Carolina Kids
MultiSport Race Series, will again run in conjunction with the
LPC Triathlon! What’s
more, the LPC Kid’s Splash and Dash (swim/run) is a USA Triathlon certified
event, and has been selected to be part of the USAT Splash and Dash
Youth Aquathlon Series of 2014! There are only 50 events
in this USAT youth series this year, and we are hosting two of them (alongside
the Asheville Kid’s Splash N’ Dash)! These events are geared to help drive
participation by adolescents, and pave the road for the future of multi-sports.
Multiple kids’ race distances available based on age and experience.
Retro Triathlon Courses: The day begins with a pool
swim at the LPC Aquatics Center. There will be a time-trial start, with faster
swimmers going first. Swimmers will enter the water by running across a mat at
the water’s edge near the deep end of the pool jump in to begin the swim.
After the 200 yard swim, athletes will exit the pool and quickly enter the
transition area. During registration, participants will be asked to
submit a 100 yard swim time: not the fastest you can swim 100 yards, but the
time you expect to maintain throughout the entire swim portion of the event.
The
bike leg has a couple challenging hills: one as you begin the ride on Howard
Gap Road, and another (Terry’s Gap), later on in the ride. The majority of the
road bike ride is on rolling country roads. You will be required to stay on
your bike, (e.g. you may not get off your to push it up hills) as dismounting
presents a safety hazard. Due to the course length and its challenges, all
cyclist participants race (relay teams included) competing on the bike must
be a minimum of 16 years old.
The
run leg is a rolling paved course that will follow gently undulating rural
roads for the first two miles and then traverse onto a dirt and grass path
through a tree break opening to fields, rounding a baseball diamond, and
finishing with a lap around the track preceding the finish. This leg is a great
match for hill runners. Not for the faint of heart, this 5k run will get your
blood pumping as you run through some of Fletcher’s prettiest, and hilliest, of
country roads!
Although
we expect very little vehicular traffic on race morning, the roads will be open
to the public for both the run and bike courses. All intersections with a
traffic light and/or turn will have law enforcement stopping traffic.
Take
in the wonders of nature and expand your mind… in a healthy, legal way! Lava
lamps and platform shoes and disco may be dead, but the beauty of spreading and
sharing the love of multisport events will never die! This is sure to be a
“groovy” event, so pick out your hippest threads and join in a time of
competition, learning, and good times August 17th at the Leila Patterson
Center.
For
more info, check out the Retro Series and LPC Triathlon official
site pages, or contact events@idaph.net.
Registration is open visit www.idaph.net
for details. Various group training opportunities will be available this summer
to get ready for the LPC Triathlon visit our Facebook page to stay up-to-date
on the dates and happenings. For sponsorship opportunities, please
address all inquiries to sponsorship@idaph.net.
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