The 12th Annual Pumpkinman Triathlon takes place on Saturday, October 25th at Lake Mead Recreation Area. This point-to-point race begins at Boulder Beach with the triathlon ending at Wilbur Square in Boulder City, but this year it is not just the post-race celebration location. It is also the start line for the brand new Pumpkinman 10K and 5K Run, which will start at 8:00am at Wilbur Square.
The Pumkinman Triathlon consists of a Sprint Triathlon (750m swim; 12.4 mile bike; 5K run) and Olympic Triathlon (1500m swim; 24.8 mile bike; 10K run). The first group of athletes will toe the line just after the sun rises at 7:00am. Once the horn sounds, athletes will swim their way around several colorful buoys before climbing out of the water and beginning the next leg of their journey: the bike.
The bike demands great strength and endurance from even the top racers since this course will challenge athletes to climb a scenic overlook to Boulder City. Athletes will complete the bike at Wilbur Square and set-out on a flat, fast run course through the quaint and quiet residential roads of Boulder City. This will determine the strong from the weak, as athletes must find pure will and determination as they approach the finish line. Fans and volunteers will greet them with cheers and applause, and place a finisher medal around each deserving finisher. Not many are able to conquer the Pumpkinman Triathlon, but the ones that do can say they earned it. Post-race festivities will include an award ceremony, local vendors, sponsor booth and a post-race meal for all the athletes!
The Pumpkinman Triathlon started in 2003 with a couple hundred participants and has grown to become one of the largest triathlons in Nevada. Since its creation, it has gained a huge following by the triathlon community and has attracted thousands of athletes from as far as Europe, all across North America and South America, including world-famous pro athletes like Chris McCormack and local Vegas pros, like Bailey Heinz. More than 50 percent of the athletes are from outside of the state of Nevada. Due to the historic venue, challenging bike course and quality production, it is the perfect late season triathlon for beginners and competitive age groupers alike.
Pumpkinman has become very popular due to its challenging bike course and scenic views. The last eight miles of each distance is a continuous uphill climb from Lake Mead to Boulder City. Athletes climb 1,278 feet in eight miles to finish off the bike portion of the race. Strong bikers love this race as they can break off from the group and make up time. The views from the course are spectacular. Not only do athletes ride through the gorgeous desert surrounding Lake Mead, but they remain close to the lake for the majority of the ride.
Another great feature of Pumpkinman is the Beginner Wave. This special start wave is intended to encourage new triathletes to join the sport. This start wave is co-ed with no age limitations, so that athletes can choose to race with a friend or family member. It provides extra water support to ensure the safety of the athletes swimming. In addition, beginner athletes can chose to wear a special "care cap" that signals the water support crew to keep a closer eye on them in the water.
The finish line is the best part! The finish line was very carefully planned out to be at Wilbur Square. The finish area is surrounded by trees and shade, making it a great place to cool down after a hot race. The post-race meal and Expo is located on the park grounds. This part of the event is open to the public and locals are encouraged to join! BBSC Endurance Sports will be offering free booth spaces to local businesses.
With an October date close to Halloween, BBSC encourages athletes to put on their best costumes for a chance to win prizes for Best Individual Costume, Best Group Costume and more. All triathletes and runners will receive a top-quality race shirt, finisher medal, SWAG bag, post-race meal, and the bragging rights of completing a very tough course.
This unique race combines healthy habits, family fun and the rich history of Boulder City! If you have not signed up yet, registration is still open! The race is expected to sell out in mid-October. Locals are encouraged to join the fun with the brand new 5K and 10K Run! (Register at www.bbsctri.com) |