Scarborough Triathlon

The Scarborough Sprint Triathlon kicks off its inaugural year in the face of Hurricane Bertha bubbling offshore in the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday, July 13 at 8:00AM. Why is this a concern? The Scarborough Triathlon features a 1/3 mile open water swim from beautiful Scarborough Beach in Scarborough, Maine. An estimated 350 racers will depart in a total of 5 to 6 waves, with the fastest men and women racing first. Triathlon racers will leave from the south end of Scarborough beach, head straight out into the ocean, turn left parallel to shore, then take another left hand turn and head toward beach for a total of 575 yards.

“Hurricane Bertha is expected to produce head high waves,” according to longtime local long-board surfer, Peter Interland of Yarmouth. “That means waves will likely be in the 5- to 6-foot range, big for July.” The good news for racers is that offshore, hurricane-generated waves tended to be spaced in longer intervals than the typical wind generated waves. “The interval should be about 15 seconds,” according to Interland, “And at high tide waves will likely be breaking within 100-110 meters of the Scarborough beach shore. The big potential issue for racers is the strong rip tide, which will present challenges going out and coming in. Beyond 100 meters, it should be pretty smooth.”

According to Will Thomas, race organizers at Tri-Maine are working with the state park service and the Town of Scarborough on contingency plans. “It’s too soon to tell,” says Thomas, “But the worst-case scenario is that we may have to delay or shorten the swim, or go with a beach run instead of a swim, turning the event into a duathlon.”

For up to date surf information, Interland suggests http://www.nesurf.com/to keep track of hurricane and wave development.

Beyond Bertha

With water temperatures in the mid-60s, Scarborough Triathlon race participants are reminded that they are required  to wear wet suits during the open water portion of the race. (To monitor current water and wave temperature, visit http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=44007) Exiting the water at Scarborough Beach, triathletes will run to T1, which is set up in the first parking lot from the beach. The first portion of the 15-mile bike ride will be over a hard packed dirt road, where racers will turn right onto Black Point Road racing straight to Highland Avenue on the right. Riders will pass through a well-marshalled stop sign at the intersection of Highland and Pleasant Hill Road. But the real issue will be the turn onto Fickett Street in South Portland. Racers will take a hard right hand turn onto Fickett, which will require everyone to slow. Fickett Street starts with a short, steep climb before turning into the downhill of Sawyer Road in Cape Elizabeth. Given Fickett’s sharp turn and steep little climb, smart riders will have shifted to the small ring and a small gear before turning onto Fickett Street. From Sawyer, racers will turn right onto Route 77 and then take another right at the end of 77, back onto Black Point Road. This time, racers will proceed past Highland over the highway overpass and through beautiful Scarborough Marsh. T2 is located half way up a steep hill and requires racers to turn left into the second transition area. Left hand turns are cause for caution, so even though the roads are well marshalled, riders will need to be on the alert for Sunday morning drivers.

The run portion of the Scarborough Triathlon has triathletes returning to Black Point Road (also known as Route 207) where racers will proceed to the Eastern Trail head, where the majority of the 3-mile foot race will take place. Racers will pass through a small residential neighborhood before crossing Route 1 to finish in Scarborough’s Memorial Park, home to the Town of Scarborough’s 350th anniversary celebration. For a list of post-race events taking place at Memorial Park, visit http://www.scarborough.me.us/350thcelebration/events.html.

Race smart. Be safe and enjoy a beautiful race!