Unique triathlon to kick off Huron River Day Celebration on Sunday
Ever wanted to do a triathlon, but the dreaded swim kept you from it?
Head to the Huron River on Sunday, there’s a triathlon that might be perfect for you.
Replacing the swimming portion of the race - universally, the most dreaded part of a triathlon - will be a 3.5 mile kayak trip down the Huron River and through the new Argo Cascades at the "Tri the Huron" triathlon.
“There’s no swimming involved…unless you tip your kayak,” joked Peter Allen, who came up with the idea of including a unique triathlon as part of the Huron River Day Celebration while sitting outside of his office at Peter Allen & Associates. Allen’s goal was to connect the new Argo Cascades to Gallup Park and get “kids to appreciate the river.”
Courtesy of Peter Allen
Several organizers agreed, and a full-on fundraiser resulted. Champions for Charity became involved, as well as key sponsors DTE and Toyota, with proceeds from the event to benefit the Ann Arbor Public Schools Educational Foundation, Huron River Watershed Council, the Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation and efforts to finance public art on Main Street near M-14.
“We think, over time, this might become quite an event,” Allen said.
As of Friday morning, 68 people had registered, and Allen hoped to have near 100 by race day.
Online registration ended at 11:30 a.m. Friday, but participants can register the day of the race at Gallup Park from 7-9 a.m., which also is when and where participants are to pick up race packets.
Kayakers on the Argo Cascades.
Courtesy of city of Ann Arbor
“We thought about having a competitive heat, but for right now we’re kind of doing this as a dress rehearsal,” Allen said. “Adding some more competitive elements might be something we look into for future events.”
Contact Pete Cunningham at petercunningham@annarbor.com or by phone at 734-623-2561. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.
Comments
Pika
Sun, Jul 15, 2012 : 3:48 p.m.
Did the event today. It has potential as the course is fun. I particularly enjoyed the run around Argo as that trail is my "home" running trail. If they are at all serious about making the event have "competitive elements" they have some work to do. They need to seriously think about how to do the timing. Should they time individual stages or just total elapse time. They would need to do a staggered start (perhaps have competitors leaving individually every minute like they do in time trials in bike racing.) They need course marshals who are serious and understand how to marshal competitors in races. And they would need clear instructions to marshals and competitors about how to work the transitions between bike-run and run-kayak. But the event has potential - a nice course. Kayaking down the Huron was awesome!
NSB
Sun, Jul 15, 2012 : 1:54 p.m.
This sounds like a great new event in our wonderful city of Ann Arbor! Too bad there are so many people who can only give negative comments on annarbor.com.
shepard145
Sat, Jul 14, 2012 : 9:24 p.m.
Kayak's are for mom and tourists. I you want to have a real race, forget the Argo Cascades and have a run/bike/swim and single shell rowing race. That will separate the pedestrians from the athletes in a hurry.
jns131
Sun, Jul 15, 2012 : 4:17 p.m.
My mother would never do a kayak. As for my child? She loves the kayak and is not a tourist nor a mom. I hope not anyway. Once the river gets higher she will be out there having fun. I don't do kayaks either, nor canoes. Walk or bike yes. Sounds like they had a great day for it.
shepard145
Sun, Jul 15, 2012 : 2:41 p.m.
....make......the......race........rout.......different.
Kea
Sun, Jul 15, 2012 : 2:14 p.m.
Good luck in getting from Argo to Gallup in a single shell. That's a route that separates the city slickers from the serious outdoor types in a hurry.
jns131
Sat, Jul 14, 2012 : 3:31 p.m.
What totally frustrates me is the fact that we learn about this stuff a day or two before it happens. How on earth are people suppose to be able to join in when we learn about it a day before? Is there email alerts? Or what. Sounds like something our teen would love to do. Not sure abut the fee though. If I knew about earlier I might have it. Sucks. O well, may go and cheer.
LauraM
Sat, Jul 14, 2012 : 5:18 p.m.
I get emails from Champions for Charity and I hadn't heard anything about it either. This is the first I've heard of this and I'm involved in a couple of running groups and get emails from several different race organizing groups. I have to wonder if annarbor.com just heard about it today too.
leezee
Sat, Jul 14, 2012 : 2:19 p.m.
You spelled Gallup incorrectly throughout. Sounds like a great event!
Julie Baker
Sat, Jul 14, 2012 : 3:45 p.m.
Thanks, that has been corrected.