From the press release:
Illinois Championship Triathlon Coming to Lake of the Woods
Champaign, IL – Next fall, expect to see athletes from around the Midwest flock to Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve for the 3 Disciplines Illinois State Championships. On Sunday, September 23, 2018, the event will take over Mahomet as the athletes run, bike and swim in the first of three triathlons scheduled for the area.
“We are very excited to bring the Illinois Triathlon Championships to Lake of the Woods—a spectacular venue for a triathlon that will feature a private lake swim, a slightly rolling, lightly travelled bike course through the farm lands around Mahomet, followed by one of the best run courses in the state utilizing the beautiful property inside Lake of the Woods,” explains Kenny Krell, National Events Director for 3 Disciplines. “This run course will be a gem, taking you around the lake, past the golf course, through the covered bridge and winding in and around the Botanical gardens before a spectacular finish next to the lake where a party will welcome all the athletes.”
Visit Champaign County worked closely with 3 Disciplines to bring this event to Mahomet. “The Triathlon will be a signature sporting event for the greater Champaign County area,” states Ryan Reid, Director of Sports and Special Events for Visit Champaign County. “As the only site for 3 Disciplines in Illinois, we are an easily accessed community for athletes around the Midwest, and Lake of the Woods provides a perfect venue for them to see the splendor of Central Illinois.”
The race will feature three events on Sunday, September 23: Olympic distance event – 1000m swim, 29- mile bike ride, 10k run OR sprint distance event; 500m swim, 14.5-mile bike ride, 5k run; and for those who want to try their first triathlon, a Super Sprint with a 200m swim, 10k bike ride, and one-mile run. The triathlon is open to the public. Athletes can register for the event at 3disciplines.com.
Organizers anticipate over 300 competitors for the first year, generating an estimated $158,000 in economic impact for the community.
About 3 Disciplines
3Disciplines was the first to start the triathlon revolution bringing triathlons to Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, AZ in the spring of 2001. Hosting what was then the largest and fastest growing events in the country, Tempe International Triathlon and SOMA Half Iron Triathlon. For 19 years, they have produced events in 22 states, serviced over 200,000 athletes, produced, timed and consulted on over 1040 events and have donated over 2200 pairs of shoes and just over 100 pick-up truck beds full of food and old event T shirts, and over $525,000 in cash and services over the years.
About Visit Champaign County
Visit Champaign County, the certified destination management organization, aided organizers in bringing the event to the area and will provide support in helping coordinate media and providing community resources to the competitors. Visit Champaign County’s mission is to advance the overall visitor destination experience for the greater Champaign County area, in collaboration with community stakeholders, to strengthen the local economy and quality of life.
Top photo from Lake of the Woods’ website.
