Dear Outdoorsman Triathletes,
Once again you have braved the raw elements of the Smoky Mountains to compete in the Nation’s Oldest Triathlon! As with most years, there is always something new to contend with. This year it was the great landslides of 2019 resulting in the additional challenge on the run. Lest you feel compelled to try to forget, I have attached a photo to jog (pardon the pun) your memory (I also provided a picture of the Maze section of the Little Tennessee River). The landslide hill on the run course claimed one victim, past guru champion Bob Griffith, who fell and dislocated his shoulder but managed to make it back to the swim start where Chief Race timer Sue was able to get him to the emergency room. We all hope Bob is recovering quickly in order to prepare for next year!
We owe much gratitude to our volunteers without which this race couldn’t be held: Chief Timer Sue Havens and timers Sue Dillery, Bonnie Havens, and Carla Bryant; Course Safety people Ed Sharp, Dodge Havens, Keith Havens, Dan Havens, Jim Farrington, Scott Dillery, Ann Armstrong, and Mike Robinson; Course Setup and take down people Ed Sharp, Kade Havens, Dodge Havens, Sue Havens, Sue Dillery, and Karla Havens; Webmaster Joe Sharp, and Course Weed Whackers Paul Wolf and Jim Hall. And thanks to all the photographers and the super helpful boat carriers!
Special thanks to our main Sponsors: The Outdoorsman Triathlon Charitable Trust, Nantahala Outdoor Center, Rolling Thunder River Company, Nantahala Village, Russ Callen, Dodge & Jo Carol Havens, and Scott & Sue Dillery. And, of course, it is always a special treat to have our Race Founders, Russ Callen and Payson Kennedy, show up and compete. Russ completed his 44th individual Outdoorsman, an amazing feat, and check out Payson’s paddle time compared to the college teams! Hopefully Race Founder, John Burton, will be able to attend next year which will be the 45th running of the Outdoorsman Triathlon. Paul Joffrion has committed to personally pursue NPR’s Scott Simon to cover the event and we’ll be working on expanding publicity for the 45th anniversary. So, you’ve had your couple days of rest, and it’s time to start training for next year – last full weekend in September – September 26th and 27th. See you there!
Race Results available on website https://outdoorsmantriathlon.org/reader/
Don’t forget to visit the Outdoorsman Facebook and Instagram pages for photos of the race.