 Outdoor News and Events
The 2005 Genesis Sprint Series May 7-October 22; throughout the Northeast These 22- to 28-mile races for two-person teams offer something for everyone—trail running, mountain biking, kayaking and surprises such as hunting for your hidden shoe in a field. Registration includes kayaks, but not bikes or life-jackets. 203-262-3376; www.genesisadventures.com. Liberty to Liberty Triathlon May 29; New York, New York, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Cover three states in one day in this historic tri. Start by swimming 1.1 mile in the Hudson River near the Statue of Liberty, then hop a high-speed ferry to New Jersey for a 91-mile ride from the countryside into Philly, where you finish with a 10K along the Schuylkill (“Skoo-kull”) River. 732-381-0318; www.oymp.net. Patuxent River Rural Legacy Ride June 11; Croom, Maryland This fully supported ride takes you 62 miles through the countryside, from Mount Calvert south to Eagle Harbor. Optional shortcuts provide 24- or 46-mile routes. 301-567-0089; www.active.com. American Whitewater - Deerfield Festival July 29-31; Charlemont, Massachussetts Enjoy a weekend of camping, entertainment and whitewater activities and competitions. With class II-IV rapids, the nearby Fife Brook and Monroe Bridge sections of the dam-released Deerfield River offer whitewater for boaters of all abilities. Proceeds support American Whitewater. 866-BOAT-4-AW (262-8429); www.americanwhitewater.org. Annual Save the Bay Swim July 30; Newport, Rhode Island Raise funds to protect and restore Narragansett Bay by participating in this 1.7-mile swim from Newport to Jamestown. Swimmers must raise a minimum $200 donation to participate. 800-NARRBAY (627-7229), ext. 119; www.savethebay.org. Pedro’s Mountain Bike Festival August 5-7; Lanesboro, Massachussetts With more than 100 miles of trails for all levels, this three-day event in the Berkshires is a mountain biker’s dream. Rain or shine, the event draws more than 3,000 people annually, making it the largest mountain bike festival in the US. 781-871-9824; www.pedrosfest.com. Grafton Lakes Off-Road Triathlon August 7; Grafton, New York This race features a 1K lake swim, a 20K mountain bike ride and a 5K trail run at Grafton Lakes State Park. It is a qualifier for the Xterra Point Series National Championships, but a youth triathlon and kids’ race make this event family friendly. Proceeds benefit local charities. 518-674-0369; www.skyhighadventures.com. Lake Dunmore Triathlon and Half Vermont Journey August 14 & 28; Salisbury, Vermont The Green Mountain’s waterways and vistas make Branbury State Park the perfect location for these annual triathlons. The Lake Dunmore course includes a half-mile lake swim, a 28-mile ride and a 5-mile trail run. The Half Vermont Journey is a more difficult, half-Ironman length race. 802-388-6888; www.vermontsun.com/triathlon.html. Rochester River Challenge September 17; Rochester, New York In this—the first sanctioned canoe outrigger race in which physically challenged athletes compete alongside able-bodied athletes—seven-person teams paddle the Genesis River through downtown Rochester. The Rochester Rehabilitation Center provides specially modeled canoes to accommodate competitors with disabilities. 585-256-1740; www.riverchallenge.com. Reach the Beach Relay Race September 16-17; Bretton Woods, New Hampshire In this 210-mile, 24-hour race, teams of eight to 12 race from Bretton Woods Ski Resort in the White Mountains to Hampton Beach State Park. The course of the longest relay race in the United States is divided into 36 manageable segments. An “ultra” category allows seasoned athletes to compete in teams of four to six. 508-881-4505; www.rtbrelay.com. Great Osprey Ocean Run 10K November 5; Freeport, Maine With a 10 a.m. start time, this low-key, 6.2-mile race starts and ends at Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park and boasts killer views along the way. www.active.com. 43rd Annual JFK 50 Mile November 19; Hagerstown, Maryland Earn second and third helpings of mashed potatoes and turkey by participating in this 50-mile run the Saturday before Thanksgiving. This ultra race in Western Maryland offers a combination of steep and flat terrain, with stretches on paved country roads, the Appalachian Trail and C&O Canal. 301-739-7004; www.jfk50mile.org. Rock & Snow’s IceFest January 2006; Catskills, New York Whether you’re a seasoned ice climber or have never worn crampons, you’re welcome to try some classic Catskills routes during this month-long event. You’ll be teamed up with a small group based on your abilities. 845-255-1311; www.rocksnow.com. BEST BEGINNER EVENTS
Greater Wellsville Trout Derby April 23-24; Wellsville, New York Hundreds of anglers flock to the Genesee River in upstate New York to reel in browns, rainbow, brookies and more than $30,000 in cash. 585-593-5080; www.trout-derby.com. National Orienteering Day September 7; across the Northeast A sport that combines map reading with running, biking, skiing or hiking, orienteering is a great way to prepare for adventure races or backpacking trips. And all 60 nationwide orienteering events offer a beginner option during which you can receive some instruction. 973-839-4095; www.us.orienteering.org. Holiday Farm Mountain Bike Races Every Wednesday Starting in May; Dalton, Massachusetts This local mountain bike race series offers quick, 30-minute races, kids’ races and one expert-level race, with the opportunity to accumulate points toward a season title. Winners take home real maple syrup from the farm. 413-684-0444; www.holidayfarm.com/mtb. © Copyright 1999-2006 by Hooked on the Outdoors www.ruhooked.com |
