TRIATHLON TO PROVE ITS ENDURANCE

WILLISTON, VT—After an eleven year hiatus, the Burlington Triathlon returns to Downtown Burlington and North Beach on September 13.  The event, limited to 500 participants, is an Olympic Distance Triathlon featuring a .9 mile swim, 22.5 mile bike, and 6.2 mile run.

The ‘Burlington Tri’ began in the late 1980’s and became a popular race, with more than 800 participants by the year 1996. The event closed in 1998 due to rising costs and permitting challenges.  The 2009 revival is the result of a partnership between RaceVermont.com, Shelburne Health & Fitness, and Vermont Fit responding to the growing regional demand for an Olympic Distance race. RaceVermont.com is a partnership between Rayne Herzog and Declan Connolly.

The 2009 course repeats some of the traditional Burlington Triathlon course with some new twists– the swimming portion of the competition takes place at North Beach, beginning at 8:00 a.m. The cycling course takes riders on a loop course down North Avenue and back on the beltline, so it will be flat and fast! The race concludes with a run from North Beach out the bike path and ending at Burlington High School. A map of the course is available at www.racevermont.com

Rayne Herzog and Declan Connolly, RaceVermont com founders and race directors, selected the American Cancer Society as the exclusive charity partner for the Burlington Triathlon. “We were inspired by stories of cancer survivors,” said Herzog. “We saw parallels between cancer patients and endurance athletes – both are engaged in an exhausting physical and emotional fight. Each strives for victories by overcoming obstacles.”

RaceVermont.com offers a 12-week triathlon training program designed by Dr. Declan Connolly, a Professor of Physical Education and Exercise Science at the University of Vermont and an Ironman Finisher. The program is specifically for those who are planning to participate in shorter distance triathlons; however, athletes of all levels will benefit from this triathlon training. Check out www.racevermont.com for more information on this.

Sponsors of The Burlington Triathlon include Fleet Feet, Earl’s Cyclery & Fitness, Vermont Chiropractic & Sports Therapy, Coca-Cola, Vermont Fit, Shelburne Health & Fitness, Vermont Teddy Bear Company and Starry Night Café. Other interested sponsors should contact RaceVermont.com.

RaceVermont.com will also host other endurance events in the coming months, beginning with two sprint distance triathlons on July 4 and August 22, and two half marathons on August 12 and November 8.

Event details and registration are available online at www.racevermont.com , and information is available by calling 802.985.3141.