Lodging for the 2009 Vermilion Harbor Triathlon

We hear from the Oberlin Inn that they will be offering a special rate to participants of the Vermilion Harbor Triathlon. From the Oberlin Inn:

“The Oberlin Inn is pleased to offer an $89 rate good for participants and guests of Vermilion Harbor Triathletes good for the nights of August 14, 15 and 16.

Guests will stay in beautiful Oberlin located on the Back Roads and Beaches bike route. While staying, check out a variety of green, organic, local and vegetarian eateries; Oberlin College campus, local Underground Railroad History, art galleries and museums. Work out and swim at the Splash Zone Recreation Complex and pool for a nominal fee.”

Call 440-775-1111 for reservations and mention the Vermilion Harbor Triathlon special rate.

Group training ride on BRaB

Come on out to get in some fast miles with triathlete Adam Kuncel on the Back Roads and Beaches route, this Thursday beginning at 6pm from the Oberlin Recreation Complex on Hamilton St. (right next to Splash Zone). This is a new group ride and will take in much of the course that will be used for the Vermilion Harbor Triathlon. Free! And, we will have giveaways for riders! All rider levels welcome.

Scenes from the Lakeview Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon

It was another gorgeous day in north central Ohio and perfect weather for the annual Lorain Sprint Tri/Duo. Here are a few scenes from today’s race at beautiful Lakeview Park and Beach in Lorain. First place overall men’s: Mark Durno with a time of 1:05:16, women’s Joanne Collins with a time of 1:14:56. Click here for complete final results.

Swim

Men’s swim start

Women’s swim start


Bike


Run

Brooks Butler, 2nd place overall finisher approaches the finish line.

Joanne Collins, women’s overall winner

Kimberly Vick and Jessica Steuk tackle the final hill and close in on the finish.

And a great massage to round out the day! Congratulations to all the dedicated athletes who made it out and completed an outstanding feat before most people are out of bed on a Sunday morning!

Vermilion-Lorain Water Trail Now Open!

The much anticipated, 27-mile waterway was finally dedicated on July 1st. The Water Trail, if you hadn’t heard already, extends from Vermilion downstream to Lake Erie, along the shoreline, and up the Black River to Elyria. These waters have always been open to public access for kayaks and canoes, but an official state Water Trail designation means signage, boat ramps, increased parking, maps, points of interest, the ever-important hazard warnings, and launch docks.

For fans of adventure sports in Lorain County, this is great news. Never before have the county’s waterways been so easy to utilize. And because the different segments of the Water-Trail are so diversified (it’s the only state designated water trail to combine rivers and open water) the fun is open to all different ages and experience levels. And it’s the perfect complement for the Back Roads and Beaches Bike and Multi-Sport Route. With little planning or effort, that day-long bike trip you’ve been planning can turn into weekend-long multi-sport adventure.

At the trail’s dedication, state and local officials talked about the unique value of a designated water route in a county like Lorain. Sean Logan, Director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, calls the Water Trail a gateway between the civilized and natural realms, a place where individuals can enjoy all the beauty and excitement that nature has to offer in a safe and fun environment. Chief Pat Dillon of the State’s Division of Watercraft, reported that Lorain’s on the cutting edge of a statewide movement—kayak and canoe use in Ohio’s lakes and rivers has increased by 34% since 2003, and kayaks and canoes represent 20% of all registered watercraft.

Chief Pat Dillon, State Division of Watercraft

But all this aside, what’s the best thing about the Vermilion-Lorain Water Trail?
It’s still free. Only now, with the added help of the Metro Parks and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, enjoying the waterways and surrounding wildlife of Lorain County has never been easier.

For interested beginners, the Metro Parks are currently offering kayaking classes at Splash Zone in Oberlin.

Kayak rental is available on the Black River through Great Lakes Kayaking, and plans are pending for a similar service on the Vermilion River.