Triathlon to Chart Course Through Charlestown
Group aims to add to Boston's banner athletic events.
Charlestown residents are no strangers to the Boston Marathon, but, next year, the fittest among us will be able to participate in an even more strenuous event that will take place, in part, on Charlestown’s streets.
Rachel Aronis, the marketing director for Odyssey Trisport, told the Charlestown Neighborhood Council this week that her company aims to host a triathlon in Boston on July 28, 2013. The proposed course would direct two segments of the running portion of the events past the Bunker Hill Monument.
Aronis said that other companies run triathlons in the Boston area, but her company’s owner wants this one to take place “in Boston.”
“We’re one of the only major cities without a major triathlon,” Aronis said.
The event’s course has not been finalized yet, but she said Tuesday that the event would have a gathering point in Somerville and likely extend to Boston Common.
The group aims to bring 3-500 competitors to the event—which will include a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike ride and a 13.1 mile run—including professional athletes.
The event would begin around 7 a.m., with runners reaching Charlestown around 9:30 a.m.
Asked this week for a more detailed course, Aronis said the company did not want to release the full proposal until it the company can present it to each of the impacted communities separately.
Julia Gaynor
7:10 am on Friday, September 7, 2012
This distance triathlon is not more strenuous than the Bostin Marathon. It's not an Ironman.
Matt M. Casey
10:27 am on Friday, September 7, 2012
True. It's a half Ironman. Having never participated in an event more endurance intensive than an all-day fencing tournament, I can't say from personal experience, but I would presume that half a marathon plus a 56 mile bike ride and a 1.2 mile swim would be more strenuous than a full marathon.
Rob O'Brien
10:48 am on Friday, September 7, 2012
It's longer (time-wise) than a marathon, but I'd argue less strenuous. It's nice to be able to switch events. As for the plan itself, I would suggest that it's a bit unrealistic to hold a half-iron in a major city for only 3-500 participants. The road closures for such a long race in an urban area would be substantial. Not that it can't be done, but it probably wouldn't be done for only 500 people. 1500 would be more reasonable.
Julia Gaynor
11:50 am on Friday, September 7, 2012
It will be interesting to see what happens with the planning! As for strenuousness, most definitely not as strenuous as the Boston Marathon, which is one of the most challenging marathons in the country due where and when the elevation changes occur. It was that direct comparison I took issue with. And Rob is right. Most people who've done both believe that the half-iron isn't the difficult as the marathon even if it takes longer. Changing events is easier on your body.