"If It Ain't One Thang, Baby, It's Two" -Chris Thomas King

Well, I've been watching the news about some bridge construction going on near Kelley Point Park since it started back in March (official press release is available by clicking here).  The original construction dates were set from 4/11-8/11 and original reports were that it would be done in time for this year's Vanport City Triathlon.

Long story short, they got behind schedule and won't be done until October.

I briefly considered making the triathlon a quadathlon (swim, bike, swim where the bridge used to be, bike, run) but have decided this may be overly difficult due to the logistics of swimming with your bike in tow :).  So on to Plan B. . .

In Elk Lake training for the triath. . .
wait. . . are those intertubes?!?

The bike course has been officially changed and this year we'll all be doing a shorter route.  Be aware that the updated course will be available on line by clicking here and you'll need to do one of two things to stay up to date:

1. Check the finalized course next week at Google Maps
2. Join us on Race Day @ 12 to do the (Updated) Course Drive-Through

The course will be exactly the same until after you cross the St. Johns Bridge.  Last year, once participants crossed the bridge, they took a left and headed along Lombard toward Kelley Point.  This year participants will cross the bridge, take a right and head along Willamette Dr. toward the University of Portland (please see map for additional detail).

This not only brings the Vanport City Triathlon's distances closer to official Sprint Triathlon distances (more information is available on-line by clicking here), it will also reduce the total time required to finish the race by approximately an hour and should make the whole experience less physically-demanding for participants.

As always, if you have questions, please do let me know.