Nation’s Triathlon–12 September 2010–Washington DC

The 5th Annual Nation’s Triathlon will be held in Washington DC on 12 September 2010.  The triathlon benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, a group committed to curing blood cancers.

The Nation’s Triathlon is going to be a beautiful race, both for competitors and for spectators.  The swim takes place in the Potomac River, which, if you’ve seen the Potomac, might make you a little worried.  Kidding.  It’s not the East River or anything.  Anyway, The swim start is at the transition area, so you have to swim upstream for the first leg, under the Arlington Memorial Bridge and to the first marker.  Turning right, you’ll swim a short leg, then turn again and pass under the Arlington Bridge again on your way back to the start.

The ride looks amazing.  Starting on Independence Avenue, you get close to the Tidal Basin before turning left on 17th street to cross the National Mall.  After crossing the mall, you turn on Constitution Ave and cross the Potomac again, then northbound on the GW Parkway.  Just before you get to the Beltway, you’ll turn around, and head southbound on the GW.  After crossing the Potomac again, you’ll out and back on the Potomac River Freeway, then another out and back on Rock Creek Parkway.  You’ll ride halfway across the Memorial Bridge and return to the transition area, or continue on your second loop.

The run will be the best part of the entire race.  Starting close to the tidal basin, you’ll head down Independence Avenue with the Tidal Basin on your right.  There’s a hectic looking loop around Maine Avenue and 15th street before you pick up Ohio Avenue.  The hardest part of this section of the run is passing Phillips Flagship and the seafood stalls on the Southeast Waterfront.  Don’t hesitate to stop at Captain White’s to pick up some boiled shrimp if you need a boost…  Running Ohio Avenue, which will be totally closed to vehicle traffic, will be an excellent course.  On your way back to the finish, you’ll do a little out and back to the Jefferson Memorial before finishing in West Potomac Park.

Maybe I’m just a bit nostalgic for my old town, but I think everyone who can attend should put this race on their list.  You’ll be hard pressed to find a better route, though there’s a lot of uphill on the GW Parkway portion of the bike.  Where else can you see most of the nation’s important buildings and places while competing in a great triathlon.