The Shadow
A triathlon is defined as an athletic contest that is a long-distance race consisting of three phases such as swimming, bicycling, and running.
According to local resident, Jeremy Bartley, who has competed in 15 of these contests since 1998, an outdoor Sprint Triathlon usually includes a half-mile swim, a 10-15 mile bike ride and a 5K run (3.1 miles).
He stated that our planned indoor triathlon is pretty much a sprint triathlon “with an easy swim.”
Consisting of an upright bike ride of 12 miles on hill level of 12, a flat treadmill run of three miles, and a quarter mile swim (9 laps) the Alleghany Highlands YMCA Indoor Triathlon offers a very unique experience for beginners wanting to try a triathlon for the first time, and for experienced triathletes, says Bartley, a great fitness test to measure your fitness throughout the year.
Bartley is a member of the Alleghany Highlands Triathlon committee sponsored by the Alleghany Highlands YMCA, Clifton Forge Main Street and the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Tourism.
The event will be held this spring on May 19 and will feature a 5K run, two mile paddle and a 13 mile bike ride.
For Bartley, a YMCA member, this will be a practice event as he works toward the larger-sized event in May with many others.
This Indoor Triathlon is the brainchild of Keith Simpson, Health and Wellness Director at the AHYMCA, who has competed in 87 triathlons himself.
This will be the first indoor triathlon attempted at our facility, and an incredible amount of interest has surfaced among our members.
This event caters to those who want to have a safe first triathlon experience, all the way to those athletes who want to compete for the best time so they can stay in the game with timed practice sessions in winter to help keep their racing skills transitions fast when the season arrives.
Simpson states that several people are practicing the course for the second time just to make better time.
While this event is a “trial run” for our facility, he hopes that he will be able to organize additional events with improvements in events, prizes, etc.
Come join us at the AHYMCA to see what programs we have to offer you.
Please visit our website at www.alleghanyhighlands.org. We can also be found on Facebook under Alleghany Highlands YMCA.
