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.
So break out the speedos, sweatbands, bathing suits, old bikes and tube socks and join us for some fun!
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.netfor 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.