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Registration Begins for the Second Annual Hudson Highlands Greenway Triathlon
The Philipstown Greenway Committee announced today that registration will begin this week for the Second Annual Hudson Highlands Greenway Triathlon, to be held as part of the Eighth Annual Hudson River Valley Ramble. The race is planned for September 16, 2007 and includes trail-running and biking on the hills and roads of Philipstown, and a Hudson River kayak race to Bannerman's Island.
The event is co-sponsored by the Philipstown Greenway Committee and the Triathlon's Honorary Chair, Vincent Tamagna, the Hudson River Navigator.
Racers can register online at www.Active.com. More information is available at the Triathlon website: www.hudsonhighlandstriathlon.org or by calling 845-803-4145. The event will take place rain or shine.
The Triathlon's three components all start and finish at Dockside in Hudson Highlands State Park in Cold Spring. Kayakers will race to Bannerman's Island and back. Then bikers will pedal to the traffic circle at Bear Mountain Bridge, ride back to Breakneck Tunnel and then to Dockside. Runners will make an eightmile run into the trails of Bull Hill overlooking Little Stony Point, and then again to Dockside. In all, racers will cover more than 38 miles.
Participants can compete as individuals in all 3 portions of the race, or as part of a team. The event includes 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 will take place rain or shine.
Philipstown Supervisor Bill Mazzucca commented, "We are pleased that the Triathlon is becoming an annual event. And we are proud of the Philipstown Greenway Committee's work to develop and promote the use of trails in our Town." Race course designer Hank Osborn described the event: "The Triathlon offers spectacular views along the race course. From paddling at sea level, to cycling across the Bear Mt. Bridge, to running on trails a thousand feet above the Hudson River, this event truly honors the beauty of the Hudson Highlands and the Greenway corridor. It is a true challenge: the rigorous 8 mile trail run doesn't even begin until after the competitors have kayaked and cycled through five counties."
Hudson River Navigator Vincent Tamagna said, "It is my great pleasure to be the Honorary Chairman of the Second Annual Hudson Highlands Greenway Triathlon. I am proud to be a part of this event that promotes tourism, supports healthy lifestyles and utilizes all the recreational opportunities that the Hudson Highlands, the Hudson River Valley Greenway and the Hudson River have to offer." The office of the Navigator was created by the American Heritage Rivers Initiative to protect environmental and cultural resources of 14 of America's great rivers, including the Hudson. Mr. Tamagna was appointed to this post by Governor Pataki in 2003.
The Philipstown Greenway Committee is also in search of local volunteers. Greenway Chair Mike McKee said, "Volunteers are indispensable in this event. They are needed to prepare the course, help in the transition areas between races, and tend to water stations and other important tasks."
Volunteers can also register online at www.Active.com or by calling 845-803-4145.
The race is part of the Hudson River Valley Ramble, an annual three-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, and takes place September 15, 16, 23, 29 and 30.
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