posted July 2, 2008
The BMW of Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon will bring 1,200 elite athletes to Ross’ Landing on Sunday, July 13, from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Olympic-length event, which serves as a 2008 qualifier for the Best of the U.S. Amateur Triathlete Competition, features a 1.5K (kilometer) swim, a 40K bike, and a 10K run.
The event will draw men and women from as far away as Illinois, Texas, and California to compete as individuals or on relay teams. In 2007, the oldest competitor was 72, the youngest was 11. Competition will be centered around the finish line and transition area at Ross’ Landing on the waterfront.
“This triathlon is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after competitions among athletes all over the U.S.,” says race organizer Bill Brock of the Chattanooga Track Club. “The downtown venue and courses—especially the bicycle course—have gained a great reputation in the triathlon community.”
All three stages of the event are free and viewable by the public. Spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and spend the morning at the Green watching competition. The finish line will be located across Riverfront Parkway at Ross’ Landing. Vendors will be at the venue selling food and beverages for the public.
A 1.5K open water swim on the Tennessee River will begin at 7:30 a.m. from the UTC Rowing Center, finishing at Ross’ Landing. Spectators may get a good view of the swimmers from the Walnut St. Bridge or from the Bluff View Sculpture Garden overlook. Competitors will then transition on the downtown Green to bicycles, where they will compete on a course up U.S. 27 to Highway 153 and back.
“The craziest place during a triathlon is the transition area,” says bike course organizer John Karr. “Competitors are still being timed, so people, shoes, and bicycles fly everywhere.”
The final leg of the triathlon will send competitors on a 10K run on the Tennessee Riverwalk, finishing back at Ross’ Landing.
The fastest competitors will complete the course in under two hours, with beginners and slower competitors taking up to five hours. Over 350 volunteers and support personnel will man everything from traffic control and support kayaks to aid stations and shuttle busses.
Brock credits volunteer help from organizations like the Velo Vixens Cycling Club, the Chattanooga Track Club, Christian Motorcycle Association, and the Tennessee Valley Canoe Club for making the event so successful.
“Chattanooga really comes out to support us,” says Brock. “Without the incredible support of our volunteers, and organizations like TDOT, the City of Chattanooga, and UTC, there is no way we could pull this event off so well.”
The BMW of Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon is presented by the Chattanooga Track Club, Team Magic, and Outdoor Chattanooga and the City of Chattanooga Parks and Recreation Department. The event is sponsored by WDSI Fox61 and The CW of Chattanooga, Comcast Chattanooga, AcmeMetalworks, Mesa Assoiates, TDOT, UTC, United States Stove Company, Southern Coffee Service, The Sports Barn, McKee Foods, CocaCola and Dasani, Quintana Roo, Hammer Nutrition, Adams Masonry, and Technology Projects.
More information:
www.bmwofchattanoogawaterfrontriathlon.com
www.chattanoogatrackclub.com
www.team-magic.com
www.outdoorchattanooga.com
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