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The 10th Annual Traverse City Endurance Evolution Triathlon is taking place this Sunday, August 19, 2018, from 7 a.m. until 12 p.m. on the Old Mission Peninsula. Up to 500 athletes will be cycling and running on Peninsula roads, along with up to 300 or so fans cheering them on. There is also a swimming component, which will take place in Bowers Harbor.
Between the foot races and bicycle races, a good portion of Old Mission Peninsula roads will be affected, including Bowers Harbor Road, Peninsula Drive, Neahtawanta Road, Kroupa Road, Seven Hills Road, Pyatt Road (and a portion of the Pyatt Lake Trail), Devil’s Dive Road, Center Road, Old Mission Road, Swaney Road, Mission Road, Smokey Hollow Road, Boursaw Road, Bluff Road, and Gray Road.
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Bowers Harbor Park and the Bowers Harbor boat launch will be start, stop and transition points.
All Peninsula roads will be open to vehicles during the race, but organizers are asking drivers to use caution if you encounter racers while driving.
Here are the routes for the various races:
- Run Overview
- Swim
- Sprint, Duathlon, Olympic Bike
- Sprint Run
- Duathlon Run #1
- Duathlon Run #2
- Olympic Run
In a letter to Peninsula residents posted on Peninsula Township’s website, Race Director Joel Gaff, Jr. writes, “Please only pass when it is safe to do so and leave a three-foot space between vehicles and athletes. Likewise, athletes will be briefed to keep as far right as possible and to respect the private property that they pass during the race.”
All intersections on the course will be controlled by police officers and trained volunteers. The junction at Neahtawanta Road, Bowers Harbor Road and Peninsula Drive will be particularly congested, so be prepared to wait if you must pass through this area.
The Bowers Harbor boat launch will be open on race day, but expect some delays if you will be launching a boat.
“As a Traverse City-based organization, we’re proud to put on an event that draws visitors and their business to the community,” writes Gaff. “It is our goal to create an event that is safe, fun, and beneficial for both the Old Mission area and the athletes. In planning this race, we have received approval and assistance from Peninsula Township, the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Department, the Department of Natural Resources, and many other local authorities. We also take pride in working with local businesses as sponsors and suppliers.”
The site plan and application for the event are available for inspection at the Peninsula Township offices, 13235 Center Road on the Old Mission Peninsula.
For more info, visit the triathlon’s website, Endurance Evolution, or email [email protected].
SUPPORT YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWSPAPER: I started Old Mission Gazette in 2015 because I felt a calling to provide the Old Mission Peninsula community with local news. After decades of writing for newspapers and magazines like the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Family Circle and Ladies' Home Journal, I really just wanted to write about my own community where I grew up on a cherry farm and raised my own family. So I started my own newspaper.
Because Old Mission Gazette is a "Reader Supported Newspaper" -- meaning it exists because of your financial support -- I hope you'll consider tossing a few bucks our way if I mention your event, your business, your organization or your news item, or if you simply love reading about what's happening on the OMP. In a time when local news is becoming a thing of the past, supporting an independent community newspaper is more important now than ever. Thank you so much for your support! -Jane Boursaw, Editor/Publisher, Old Mission Gazette
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