Back Mountain Triathlon adds sprint distance to competition

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The Back Mountain Triathlon returns for its second year on Sunday, Aug. 25.

And that might have some area runners, swimmers and cyclists wondering if they could become a three-sport star.

Race organizers have one little bit of news for those area residents that are thinking of tackling the swim-cycle-run race: With 19 weeks to go before swimmers hit the water of Harveys Lake, you have plenty of time to train for one of sports most challenging tests.

And the fact that this year’s race will offer a sprint distance competition provides another option for competitors.

“Absolutely,” Race Swim Director Andrea Butchko said when asked if there was still time to get ready for the event. “I think especially with a sprint triathlon this year, which is a shorter course in all three events.

“So if you’re someone that does have endurance experience, I think saying that you’d like to sign up for the Olympic, absolutely, 19 weeks is, is the perfect amount of time to start training. And even someone who maybe has only ran a 5K before but has some experience biking and wants to get more experience swimming, the sprint would be perfect.

“And it’s definitely not too late to sign up for it and start training.”

The Olympic-distance competition starts with a 1,500-meter swim followed by a 25-mile bike ride and concludes with a 6.2-mile run. The sprint competition cuts those distances in half, leaving competitors swimming 750-meters, biking 12.5 miles and running 3.1 miles.

Race Director David Bass agreed that there is still plenty of time for those interested in doing their first triathlon to start training for the Back Mountain event.”

“So first of all, it’s even enough time to do the Olympic distance,” Bass said. “But if you’ve never done one before, and you’re interested, you could absolutely get ready for a sprint triathlon.

“Remember, it’s a 750-meter swim’s, a 13-mile bike, and it’s a 3.1-mile run. So essentially you need to be fit enough to be able to do some aerobic activity for about two hours. … In four months of training, you could absolutely get yourself ready for that.”

And for those that may be thinking about competing in their first triathlon, Bass has a bit of good news.

“One of the first things I would say is you don’t have to do it alone,” Bass said. “When I came to triathlon years ago, my first few years, I didn’t know any triathletes. I didn’t know how to get started. I tried to figure it out all on my own.

“It really didn’t get easier until I met people and started asking questions and going to group activities. So group bike rides, group swims in the lake that’s when it really got easier for me.”

Bass suggests prospective triathletes seek out friends, family members or co-workers that may be involved in the sport. He added that if a prospective triathlete can’t find any friends or family with racing experience, they can always reach out to the race organizers for help connecting with fellow triathletes.

“It’s definitely a social sport,” Bass said.

Butchko added that if a prospective triathlete hasn’t swum in open water yet, they will definitely want to get into Harveys Lake a few times before race day.

“We have groups that meet at different spots around the lake,” she said. “(Prospective triathletes) are welcome to reach out to me and we’ll get them connected so they can swim with a group and get used to that before race day.

“But definitely recommend some open water experience.”

To register or for more information on the Back Mountain Triathlon, go to backmountaintriathlon.com.