City officials get set for triathlon
McMinnville officials are gearing up for the second annual McMinnville City Triathlon set to take place June 27.
Last year’s event, the first in McMinnville, was successful in drawing around 80 participants and their friends to the area, Civic Center recreation programmer Jeff Anselmo said.
This year, officials are hoping to draw between 300 and 400 to the area in an effort they hope will one day draw the same level of participation as the Highland Rim Cycling Classic bicycle race.
“We’re expecting to double it this year. They’ll be from all over the mid-South,” Anselmo said of expectations for attendance. “Last year, predominantly, we had people from Nashville, Chattanooga and Birmingham, but this year, we’re expecting people from as far away as Atlanta, Florida, parts of Georgia and Alabama and Kentucky.”
The difficulty of the race varies in order to appeal to beginners, who may split the race into a relay effort, as well as to those who desire a more challenging course.
The swim distance ranges from 400 to 500 yards and is at Gilley Pool, while the bicycling portion of the race ranges from 13 to 18 miles and spans from the Civic Center to the Highway 55 area. The run is three miles and is located on streets near the Civic Center.
“Everybody knows about the Iron Man triathlons, the big ones, where you swim for five miles, then you bicycle for 150 and then do the marathon at the end,” Anselmo said. “The average person can’t do that, but with these shorter versions, people who are somewhat athletic, or people who don’t have a lot of time to train, can prepare for this.”
Expectations for more participants this year relate to the area’s facilities as well as location.
“The national champion who won it last year said that in over all the races he’s raced, this is one of the best facilities and best courses and the best area to have to have it because everything is centrally-located,” he added. “It’s ideal and it’s one of the best courses they said they have participated in.”
New this year is an introductory clinic for those interested in participating. The clinic is scheduled for May 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Civic Center. Speakers include race management, triathlon coaches and experienced triathletes. Volunteers are needed, organizers said.
Race manager Team Magic, who managed last year’s event, has announced the McMinnville City Triathlon is part of the Tennessee Triathlon Series. The other series events are Cedarfest Triathlon in Lebanon July 18 and Old Hickory Lake Triathlon in Hendersonville, which takes place July 18 and Sept. 18.