CLEARFIELD – The sixth annual Upper West Branch Triathlon will lead off at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 14 with a new run course, offering its participants a safer and more picturesque journey toward the finish line.
In previous years, runners started at the bait shop along state Route 453. However, concerns of the runners’ safety had arisen due to heavy traffic along the roadway, according to an event organizer Donna Carnahan.
“We were worried for the runners’ safety. They were running into a lot of traffic,” she said. “We thought it’d only be fair to try something different. I think they’ll like it better, going through the woods along the stream. It’ll be more enjoyable.”
This year, participants start their 4.8-mile run near Gasbarre Products Inc. on McKee Road and turn right onto the Bloomington-Glen Richey Highway. They’ll turn left onto Hemlock Hollow Road, continuing until making a left onto Piney Road. Both Hemlock Hollow and Piney Roads are dirt-surfaced.
From there, runners will be turning right onto Bloomington Avenue Extension and returning to a paved surface. They will follow until reaching the Curwensville Civic Center, where they’ll turn right and run to grab their canoe/kayak, or to tag their teammate to proceed to the water.
Participants will pass under the railroad, the Hogback and the Rails-to-Trails bridges while completing the canoe/kayak segment of the race. Then, they’ll paddle another two miles for a total of five miles. The “take-out” point will be to the right before the state Route 879 Bridge.
Bikers will turn onto Carbon Mine Road and then left onto the Old Erie Pike at the intersection with the stop sign. At the next stop sign, they’ll make a right onto SR 2023 and continue to Glen Richey and O’Shanter.
They’ll continue straight on SR 2022 before turning right onto SR 453 at the stop sign. They’ll proceed until turning left onto Lake Drive, which they’ll continue on until the finish. All 15 miles of roadway are paved.
Carnahan wasn’t certain the number of participants registered at the present time. The triathlon usually averages 60 or 70 participants, but last year, it attracted 100 participants, she said.
“They usually start trickling in about this time. Everyone likes to wait until the last minute. Some people come race day and just decide it’s a nice day and do it,” Carnahan said. Most participants compete as part of a relay team.
“And, typically more men compete individually than women. I don’t know why there aren’t more women. They can do it just as well and sometimes even have more endurance than the men, I think.”
She encouraged any interested person to “come out and give it a try.” There isn’t any cut-off time to finish the race by, and participants have never been pulled off for being too slow.
While the course provides a challenge for the “seasoned” participants, it’s also a “good choice” for the beginners who may be looking at their first triathlon, she said.
Awards will be presented to the overall ironman and iron woman as well as the top three finishers of each age group. The top three will be awarded in the five relay team categories: men, women, co-ed, whippersnappers (average age under 18 years) and masters (average age over 40 years).
In addition, special awards will be presented to the youngest and oldest competitors. Participants must be at least 12 years old to compete in the triathlon.
Participant Carl Undercofler, who was 72 years old at the time of last year’s race, has been the oldest to compete, according to Carnahan. She said he’s an inspiration and reminds everyone the importance of “staying strong and active.”
“We encourage all to come out and take part in the race. Age doesn’t matter, and if you think you can, you should,” she said. “If you have been keeping at it, you can do this.”
Registration is currently $50 for individual participants and $40 for each member of a relay team. The fee includes: a race T-shirt, a homemade post-race meal, a course manned with emergency personnel and volunteers and a chance to win door prizes from the event’s sponsors.
On race day (May 14), registration begins at 7:30 a.m. at Pavilion No. 5 at the Curwensville Lake and Recreation Area. Participants must allow sufficient time to drive to both the canoe/kayak and bike transition sites before the pre-race meeting. Travel time is estimated at 30 to 40 minutes round-trip.
All participants must attend the pre-race meeting at 9:30 a.m. at Pavilion No. 5. The race starts at 10 a.m. at Gasbarre Products Inc., and a shuttle will provided, especially for individuals, but carpooling is encouraged.
Registration will also be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 13 at Pavilion No. 5. Starting this year, participants will not be rewarded any returns or refunds of registration fees.
All proceeds directly benefit the Conservation Celebration and other educational programs provided by the Clearfield County Conservation District.
Anyone with questions or in need of further information is please asked to contact the district’s office by phone at 814-765-2629 or via e-mail at clfdccd@atlanticbbn.net.
Carnahan wanted to thank the many local emergency personnel and volunteers who will be on-hand race day and who have been supportive of the event each year.