Date: August 16, 2014 Race Type: Triathlon Bike Surface: Road Drafting rules:? Non-drafting Kids Race? *NOT* a kids' race Course: 0.93 mile swim, 25 mile bike, 6.2 mile run Start: 6:45 AM Location: Grand Lake, Colorado Address: W. Portal Rd Contact: 3039192868 | caroline@triathleta.com Individual Price: $105 Olympic / $175 Half Team Price: $130 Olympic Relay / $200 Half Relay
Date: August 16, 2014 Course: 0.93 mile swim, 25 mile bike, 6.2 mile run Location: Grand Lake, Colorado Address: W. Portal Rd
General Information
Registration fees included or disclosed up front?: Not specified whether registration/convenience fees are added. Course Info: Swim in the largest natural body of water in Colorad! Grand Lake is one of three lakes nestled on the edge of the Rocky Mountain National Park. Water temps are cool, average in early August, (64+/- F) so bring your wetsuit!
First wave of the Half (70.3) Distance goes off at 6:45 AM. Each wave will follow, about 8 minutes between, giving people ample room to move.
The swim departs the Adams Inlet to head in an extended triangle back to where you departed, out of the water and up the ramp into transition located adjacent to the lake, a very short run. Water temps. will be in the low 60′s F, so bring your wetsuits, you’ll need them. Large, bright buoys will line the course along with many locals excited to cheer you on in their kayaks and point you in the right direction.
Bike on Highway 34, or what is better known as Trail Ridge Rd., the longest, most continuous paved road in North America. A good portion of the road is closed 9 months out of the year. So biking on the road, aside from being in a triathlon, is a ‘claim to fame’ all its own. The views will take your breath away if the altitude doesn’t! 8400′+
The out/back bike course leaves W. Portal Rd and takes you through a series of rolling hills along Trail Ridge Rd/Highway 34, passing Shadow Mountain Lake and Granby Lake and onto Highway 40 for a 1/4 mile or so and then a gentle right onto Highway 125, a quite road with rolling hills and views as far as you can see. A quick turn around 10 miles out and then head back, with a few climbs, up an area of History on Highway 34, just before you see Granby Lake, called the ‘Coffee Run’. The Olympic Distance athletes will make a turn around on Highway 34, adjacent to Granby Lake and then head back to town. They will miss the ‘Coffee Run’, but still have an amazing ride.
The run start will begin with the Olympic Distance athletes. The first three miles are a slight climb out of town and up Trail Ridge Rd into the edge of RMNP, but then you get a break when you turn around at the Kawaneechee Visitors Center and head back down into town. A really nice 10K run!
The Half Distance athletes go out the same but get to head down CR491 also known as US National Park Rd, where the views just may make you stop…it’s quite spectacular. It was a ‘must add’ to the race route when planning this run. Turn around just before crossing over the Colorado River and head back out onto a few dirt roads, (save the legs a bit) and head back into town for the finish. A beautiful run, challenging yet rewarding. You’ll be glad you came!
On the run, athletes will follow W. Portal Rd. out of town and run along the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park. The views on this run may make you want to stop and take it all in, like nothing you’ve ever seen before. False flats and undulating hills that overlook Grand Lake. Warm lake breezes refresh you along the way before you arrive at the Town Hall where the locals will welcome you across the finish line and celebrate your achievement!
More: USAT Sanctioned Race. Officials will be present.
AWARDS:
Finisher Medals to all! Additional Awards 3 deep in each age group and teams.
Overall: Awards will be given to the top 3 overall M/F (If an age-grouper places in the top 3 overall we will double up in their age-group for awards).
Age Group Divisions: Prizes to the top three male and female finishers in each of the following age groups: 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+
Clydesdale/Athena Division: Males over 200lbs. and females over 150lbs. Prizes will be awarded to the top Clydesdale and Athena finishers.
Relay Teams: There are three divisions of teams: Men, Women, and Coed. Teams of 2 or 3 competitors may race in the triathlon. Prizes will be awarded to the 1st place team in each division.
Directions: The town sits at a mere 8400′ above sea level, just past the well known ski resort of Winter Park. (From Denver) Head West on I-70, to Exit 232, Empire/Granby – 40 West, up the winding Berthoud Pass, through the town of Winter Park, Fraser, Granby and then head East on Highway 34 til you see the signs for Grand Lake. If you hit a Guard gate for Rocky Mountain National Park, just turn around and head back a mile and you’ll be there. You can’t miss it really. It’s about 2 1/2 hours from Denver, a bit more from the airport, but a beautiful drive.
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