by Tim Hauserman
Photo taken from Tahoe Ironman website
Ironman Lake Tahoe returns to the region September 20th. While the race is this weekend, the racers have been training here all summer long. You’ve seen them riding there beautiful tri bikes over Brockway Summit, swimming along the shore of Lake Tahoe, and running on the Truckee River bike trail.
When race day finally arrives, for Ironman participants it is the final culmination of years of training and for many the realization of a dream.
What is Ironman:
The race begins with an early morning 2.4 mile swim from Kings Beach. Next comes a 112 mile bike ride that includes climbing over Brockway Summit, twice. Finally, the racers take on a marathon length 26.2 mile run along the Truckee River. The difficulty of the bike course and the high altitude of the entire event make Ironman Lake Tahoe one of the most challenging Ironman’s on the world circuit.
Photo from Ironman Lake Tahoe Website
Who will do it:
Several thousand athletes will compete in both the full and half Ironman. In addition to athletes from around the world, there is a smattering of local folks taking on the challenge who will be cheered on joyfully by their local fans.
Where do I watch it:
Pick up a copy of the Sierra Sun or North Tahoe Weekly for information on where to see the racers, traffic restrictions and road closures. The swim is in Kings Beach. The bike goes from Kings Beach to Tahoe City to Truckee, then out to Glenshire and back to Kings Beach on a Triangle loop that is repeated twice. The run starts in Squaw Valley and follows the Truckee River bike trail to Tahoe City, then goes back to Squaw, then heads back out on the bike trail for another half lap.
New route through Truckee:
This year’s Ironman has a new addition to the bike route. It will head out on Glenshire Road to Glenshire and then return to Truckee via the Truckee Legacy Bike Trail. The narrow Legacy Trail should be an excellent spot to watch the riders roar by.
Volunteer:
One of the best ways to see the event is to volunteer to help the athletes.
Use this link to get the details on volunteering. You can also contact a local service organization such as Tahoe Cross-Country Ski Area who organizes volunteers and benefits based on the number of volunteers they recruit.
http://www.ironman.com/triathlon/events/americas/ironman/lake-tahoe/volunteer.aspx#axzz3lf7AA01l
THINK OF ME, LYNN RICHARDSON, FOR ALL OF YOUR LAKE TAHOE AND TRUCKEE REAL ESTATE NEEDS!
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