Swim the Potomac under the arch of the Memorial Bridge. Bike the hard curves and steep slopes of Rock Creek Park and the National Zoo. Run in Potomac Park, circle the Capitol and pass by the Washington Monument on your way to an uphill finish line at the Lincoln Memorial. The event is produced by TNT Productions with Race Management by Robert Vigorito and The Columbia Triathlon Association, Inc. based in Columbia, MD.
The Inaugural running of The Nation’s Triathlon is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, September 17th, 2006. The production company is working diligently with numerous Washington, DC based agencies to finalize race approval.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Swim; 1.5 k
The day begins in the challenging Potomac River. Competitors enter the water from the pier at the Washington Harbor, Georgetown and head south to the Lincoln Memorial. Conditions can run from choppy to fast running currents as swimmers pass the Boathouse, swim by the famous Kennedy Center and exit at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial. Lifeguards will line the course supported by kayaks, safety personnel on jet skis and boats operated by the US Coast Guard. The course will be well marked by regatta buoys on both sides of the swim course.
Transition
(T1
): Swimmers exit the water at the Lincoln Memorial and run north under the bridge and along Ohio River Drive to T1.
Cycle: 40k:
Riders will head north into Rock Creek Park for a fast and flat departure past the Kennedy Center, the famous Watergate Hotel and into the heart of Rock Creek Park. Roads are tight, twisting and flat as you head toward your first hill climb at the National Zoo. That’s right -- there are hills in DC!!
Heading west into the Zoo, riders are immediately challenged with a near mile climb averaging 9-10% grade. One pitch registers near 12%!! As you pass the lions, giraffes and gorillas, the animals will be wondering who’s doing all that grunting outside their exhibits! Recovery from the Zoo climb is met nearly a mile later by hill climb #2 - The Ross Avenue climb. This may seem like Lombard St in San
Fran! This climb features a challenging set of switchbacks that begin with a near 10% pitch. The grade averages 7% as riders make their way across the switchback and up the beautiful hillsides of Rock Creek Park. Riders enjoy a mostly downhill and twisting return to the first turn around point – then guess what… You do at it all again, both climbs included!
You won’t believe that you are in Washington, DC as you pass through Rock Creek Park with its abundant flora and fauna in the heart of the Nation’s Capitol. This two loop course is a true test of both climbing skills and flat, fast riding on a twisting course. Water, food and aid line the course.
Transition
(T2
): Finish the bike with a challenging hard right hand turn into T2 and out for the run.
Run: 10k:
Runners exit T2 heading south, down Ohio River Drive alongside the Potomac River. The run starts out fast and flat as it heads into Potomac Park. Runners are turned back north for a beautiful run around the tidal basin and the Jefferson Memorial.
The climbing begins on Independence Avenue near 10th street. Runners ascend the long grade up Independence Avenue passing the Smithsonian Art and History Museums and the beautiful architecture of Washington, DC. At the top, runners circle Congress and pass directly in front of the Library of Congress and the Supreme Court buildings.
Recovery comes from a long descent down Constitution Avenue alongside the Mall, passing the White House, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Korean War Memorial. This run truly showcases the Washington DC as runners pass through the historical buildings of our Capital City. Runners then turn north for a short hard uphill finish to a giant balloon arch finish line at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial. What a journey!
For race information, visit
www.tricolumbia.org or email
[email protected].
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2005-12-26 9:49 PM
1205
Herndon VA
Subject: DC Tri
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