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Registration Begins July 1 for The Hudson Highlands Greenway Triathlon
The Philipstown Greenway Committee announced that registration will begin July 1 for the First Annual Hudson Highlands Greenway Triathlon. The race planned for September 24, 2006 includes trail-running and biking segments that traverse the hills and roads throughout Town, and a kayak race to Bannerman's Island.
The event is co-sponsored by the Philipstown Greenway Committee and the Hudson Highlands Land Trust. Greenway Chair Michael McKee described the event. "Competitors will challenge themselves on Greenway-designated footpaths, bike trails and the Hudson River Water Trail. We designed the route to highlight our connection to the state Greenway trail system."
Town Supervisor Bill Mazzuca looks forward to the event. "We are fortunate to have a wide variety of outdoor recreation opportunities in our Town, all of which are unique. There are easy walking paths through historical sites, rugged trails to scenic vistas and access to the Hudson. This race
is a community event that celebrates our diverse landscape and will bring us another step closer to completing a Greenway trail system in Philipstown."
The race will start and finish near the Town Recreation Center, on the front lawn at Glenclyffe. Runners will head into the hills above 9D, along the Eastern Redoubts Revolutionary War Trail. They will run down Snake Hill Road and back to the River, passing Arden Point and returning to Glenclyffe. There, even these highly trained competitors will feel some fatigue as they jump onto their bikes and race to Dockside in Cold Spring, taking "the long way," via 9D to Breakneck Tunnel. At Dockside, their kayaks will be waiting for the paddle, in whatever conditions the Hudson River presents, to Bannerman's Island and back. Then it's another ride on their bikes back to Glenclyffe and the finish of the race. In all, racers will cover more than 27 miles.
"The terrain and the Hudson riverfront here in Philipstown offer a great place for a challenging
competition. I'm looking forward to a heck of a race," declared Hank Osborn, triathlete and triathlon planning committee member.
Participants can compete as individuals in all three portions of the race, or as part of a team. "We thought by allowing teams of three, we would make the event accessible to more people," explained McKee. Seventy five individual or team slots are available.
The event includes optional kayak rental from Hudson Valley Outfitters and professional timing service by local resident Bill Sherry of Super Race Systems. Mr. Sherry employs the ChampionChip system of race timing: a computer chip attached to the shoe of the racer is detected by sensors at the Start and Finish line.
The triathlon planning committee is also in search of local volunteers. "From maintaining the trials before and after the event, tending to water stations or helping racers safely cross the road, volunteers will play a pivotal role in making this event a success," explained
Marlo Kovacs of Hudson Highlands Land Trust. "Volunteering on race day will give everyone an opportunity to participate in the fun." If you'd like to join the volunteer team, send an email to triathlon@hhlt.org or call 845424-3358.
Racers can obtain registration materials online at www.hhlt.org, by email triathlon@hhlt.org, or call the Hudson Highlands Land Trust office at 845-424-3358. Registrants can also pick the forms up at Hudson Highlands Land Trust at 1180 Route 9D, Philipstown Town Hall at 238 Main Street in Cold Spring, or Hudson Valley Outfitters at 63 Main Street in Cold Spring. The event will take place rain or shine.
The race is part of the Hudson River Valley Ramble, an annual two-weekend celebration which features hikes, tours and other events up and down the Hudson River Valley. The Ramble is produced under the auspices of the Hudson River Valley Greenway and Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area.
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