The The "transition areas" of triathlons, like the training triathlon pictured here at Hains Point, are littered with bicycles, running shoes, and other gear needed to complete the arduous sport.
The sport of triathlon—an endurance contest that involves swimming, bicycling, and running—can be expensive. Fees for “ironman” events can cost more than $450. Top-of-the-line bicycles can run $3,000 and more. So it is good news for local triathletes that “training tris” held each summer at Hains Point request an entry fee of just $5.
Nervous swimmers get set to begin the first leg of their training triathlon, at the East Potomac Park pool behind the Hains Point golf course.
Once a month every June, July, and August, near the Tidal Basin and the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, the DC Triathlon Club puts on these so-called sprint triathlons. Starting at 7 AM, they involve a 400-meter swim, a 16-mile bike ride, and a 3.1-mile run. As many as 100 racers take part.
The bicycle portion of the races put on by the DC Triathlon Club are bracketed by scenic views, like this one of the Memorial Bridge.
The swims take place at the East Potomac Park Swimming Pool, an open-air, 50-meter public pool located just behind the Hains Point golf course. After emerging from the water, participants run through the golf course parking lot to an island of lawn on Ohio Drive, S.W. At the “transition area” there, each racer picks up his or her bicycle, and then makes three long loops around Hains Point, from the golf course all the way to a roundabout near the Lincoln Memorial and back. After returning to the transition area, participants lay down their bikes, don running shoes, and run a short loop around Hains Point to the finish line.
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Volunteers--and artfully sculpted statues--shepherd racers along the course.
Volunteers are posted along the routes to watch out for traffic, and to ensure competitors keep racing along in the right direction. The permit for the pool is obtained in advance from the DC Department of Recreation.
A sprint triathlon, with its short swim and relatively short bike and run, is especially useful for newcomers to the sport. “The purpose of a ‘training tri’,” noted Hugh Harris, a physical education teacher at Pointer Ridge Elementary School in Bowie, Maryland, and the organizer of the events, “is for the club to offer low-key events for members to prepare them for other triathlons.” For little money, a participant can see if he likes the sport, and decide if he wants to continue with longer, more challenging races.
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Whether from relief or the joy of sport, these two competitors conjured up a winning smile.
Tired, famished finishers are rewarded with a barbecue hosted by the DC Triathlon Club at the far end of Hains Point across from Reagan National Airport.
To participate, one must be a member of the club, and pay the annual membership fee of $35. Still, for a total of $40, including a barbecue, it’s about the cheapest triathlon in this or any other town.
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Hungry triathletes are reward with barbecue and drinks at the far end of Hains Point.
In other parts of the year, the club holds other races at Hains Point, including bicycle time trials and duathlons that involve both running and biking.
For more info:
The DC Triathlon Club:
East Potomac Park:
Other articles by this writer:
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No picture of my Cervelo? Fail.
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