Newly Designed Bike and Run Course Minimizes Local Inconveniences
Oyster Bay hamlet and surrounding areas will once again be hosting the Runner’s Edge – Town of Oyster Bay Triathlon, Long Island’s largest triathlon, and perhaps the most athlete friendly—multi-sport event in the country. Fifteen hundred athletes representing twelve States participated in the 2009 edition of the Tri, and an equally big turnout is expected for 2010.
The date is Sunday, Aug. 29, the place is Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park in Oyster Bay, and the distances are a ½ mile swim in Oyster Bay Harbor, a 15 kilometer bike through Oyster Bay Cove and Laurel Hollow, and a 5 kilometer run up to the Planting Fields Arboretum, and back to the exciting finish at Roosevelt Park. This is an event that is perfect for first timers, but yet is challenging enough to satisfy the veteran triathlete.
Newly Designed Course
Both the bike and run course of this year’s triathlon have been changed this year in order to minimize the inconvenience to local residents. The newly designed bike course will avoid South Street entirely, and make it possible for churchgoers and others to drive up South Street to Townsend Square without difficulty. The run course will finish with the participants heading up Lake Avenue and straight up West Shore Road to a right turn into the back end of Beekman Beach with a 300 yard straightaway to the finish, eliminating the need to go onto Bayside Avenue and cross the LIRR tracks to the finish.
The Runner’s Edge-TOBAY Triathlon gives athletes an opportunity to have some fun and do some good at the same time, since major portions of the proceeds of the great event will once again be distributed to three charities: the Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation; and to the Gerald Kaufman Memorial Fund whose sole purpose is to provide assistance to local athletes and their families in times of personal financial emergency. In addition, the Doubleday Babcock Senior Center in Oyster Bay has been selected as the third major beneficiary of the event, bringing a distinct local flavor to the beneficiary list.
The Runner’s Edge-TOBAY Triathlon will be conducted under the auspices of the Town of Oyster Bay and its Department of Parks and Recreation. Race management will once again be conducted by the Greater Long Island Running Club, with Ray Farrell and Jose Lopez with Bob Cook reprising their roles as co-directors of the event, and Mindy Davidson and Linda Ottaviano serving as the event coordinators.
The Runner’s Edge Running and Multi-sport store in Farmingdale has signed on once again as the corporate title sponsor, Steve Kristel once again joining us as the corporate presenting sponsor, and Babylon Bike Shop, the Intellectual Property law firm of Carter, DeLuca, Farrell & Schmidt LLP, and Zoot Sports are stepping up once again as supporting sponsors.
Junior Triathlon Saturday, August 28
There’s something for the younger athletes as well. The 6th annual Runner’s Edge – TOBAY Junior Triathlon for youngsters ages 8-13 will be held at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park on Saturday, Aug. 28, the day before the main event. It consists of a 200 yard swim, 2.5 mile bike and 1 mile run –all within the confines of the park. Although the main event on Sunday is sold out, registration for the Junior Triathlon remains open, and local resident s are encouraged to bring their youngsters to the park to join in the fun in a highly supervised and child friendly environment. The entry fee is only $20.
Volunteers are most welcome to join in the fun. Experience the event as a volunteer by calling Coordinator of Volunteers Mindy Davidson at 520-9481 (before 9 p.m.) or email her at mindyruns@aol.com.
For information about the Triathlon generally, call Mike or Linda at the Greater Long Island Running Club at 349-7646.
