Best in the West triathlon series returns for its 14th year at Lewis Creek Park this weekend, with races and road closures scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, June 7-8.
The race series, which started in 2011, was moved last year to the first week of June after being held in early September since its inception. The move was made because of repeated wildfire smoke issues and the Green Peter drawdown, according to race organizers.
“Smoke in September has been an issue for several years in a row,” founder Blair Bronson told The New Era last year. “It’s impossible to ensure against it and if we have to cancel due to smoke, no one wins.”
In 2023 organizers were surprised during the 2022 triathlon when water temperatures dropped 12 degrees overnight, and logs and other debris rolled into Foster Lake after USACE released water from Green Peter that weekend.
Although area triathletes had to accommodate the date change into their schedules, participation in last year’s event was about 850, from throughout Oregon, 19 other states and Canada, which was only about 60 less than the previous year in September.
This year’s series includes a wide variety of competition opportunities.
This Saturday morning’s events include Half-Iron (1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, 13.1-mile run) triathlon competitions for individuals, 2-person relay and 3-person relay teams, and Olympic (1,500-meter swim, 40K bike ride, 10K run) triathlons. There are also multiple variations available to those who aren’t eager to compete in all three disciplines or who prefer to paddle or ride an aqua bike.
The Sprint Triathlon (500-meter swim, 12-mile bike ride, 5K run) will be held Sunday morning along with other variations on the combination, including a Super Sprint Triathlon (250-meter swim, 4.8-mile bike, 1.5-mile run) and a Kids Splash and Dash Short course (3-8) 100-meter swim/1K run or long course (9-15)
The triathlon series requires help from more than 300 volunteer shifts.
It also will necessitate road closures as follows: June 7: North River Drive, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; June 8: North River Drive, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.; June 8: Quartzville Road, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The public can attend for free. Parking is available at Sunnyside Campground.
To learn more, visit www.bestinthewesttriathlon.com.