Tri-Maine Series Races 2008

Tri-Maine has announced its race schedule for 2008.

The 2008 series begins with the PolarBear, formerly the Iron Bear, on May 3, 2008. The PolarBear is a hugely popular sprint triathlon that takes place at Bowdoin College in Brunswick. The race features a 525 yard pool swim, a 12-mile bicycle time trial and a 5K run. Tri-Maine is expecting approximately 500 competitors for this event. Registration opens on February 15, 2008.

New this year, the Belgrade Lakes Triathon replaces the Wild Bear triathlon from 2007 and 2006. Taking place on the summer solstice, June 21, 2007, The Belgrade Lakes Triathlon - or BLT as Tri-Maine refers to it - is a modified Olympic distance tri and a duathlon. The BLT tri features a .5 mile swim in beautiful Belgrade Lakes, a long, 25-mile bike time trial and a five mile run, while the BLT duathlon starts with a 2-mile run with the same bike and final 5-mile run. Tri-Maine expects 300-400 competitors in its inaugural edition. Lodging and tent campground sites are available at Camp Runoia. Registration is currently open.

The Scarborough Tri is also new to Tri-Maine in 2008. Scheduled for July 13, 2008 at 8AM, the Scarborough Tri replaces the Shipbuilders Triathlon in Bath. The Scarborough Tri is a sprint distance triathlon that begins at Scarborough Beach with a 1/3-mile swim, followed by a 15-mile bike ride and a 3-mile run. The race finishes next to the Scarborough 350th Anniversary Celebration in Memorial Park in Scarborough Town Center. Tri-Maine expects 300-400 competitors in its inaugural edition. Registration is currently open.

The Zone Urban/Epic Triathlon returns to Tri-Maine in 2008. A popular Olympic distance triathlon, the Urban Epic is held in downtown Portland, Maine and features a 1-mile swim, a 24-mile bike ride and a 10K run. The Urban Epic also boasts an Urban Festival with live music and a beer garden for this spectator-friendly event. Last year, over 300 athletes participated. This year Tri-Maine expects over 400 participants. Registration is currently open.

The Lobsterman Triathlon in Freeport, ME is Tri-Maine final event for 2008. Taking place on Saturday, September 13 in beautiful Winslow Park, the Lobsterman Triathlon is an Olympic distance event featuring a 1.5K ocean swim, a 40K bike ride and a 10K run. Some of the regions toughest triathletes contest the Lobsterman each year. The 2008 race will be no different. The Lobsterman Triathlon is open for registration now and is the only Tri-Maine event to feature an Aquabike competition (swim, bike).

All the Tri-Maine races in 2008 are sanctioned by USA Triathlon, the National Governing body of the Sport.