Sunday, July 11, 2004 -- Richwood, WV
Scenic Mountain Triathlon (iPO Event Id#: 6274)
Story and photos by Julie and Jason Black

[Details] [Coverage]
[Overall Results]
Pictures: [Set 1] [Set 2] [Set 3] [Set 4] [Set 5]
[Set 6] [Set 7] [Set 8] [Set 9] [Set 10]

Past Coverage: [1998] [1999] [2000] [2001]

The descent from Summit Lake

Pristine, proud, and popular are three perfect "P" words that describe Richwood, West Virginia and it's surrounding wilderness areas. Every year, the Scenic Mountain Triathlon is held at the southern gateway to the Monongahela National Forest.

This area rises in elevation to 4,800 feet and includes the federally protected Cranberry Backcountry and Highland Scenic Highway which is a National Scenic Byway. Eighteen years strong, the event was proudly sponsored by the Richwood Area Chamber of Commerce, and sanctioned by USA Triathlon.

The mass start in Summit Lake

Over 100 triathletes swarmed the Summit Lake parking lot, setting up their bikes and stretching along it's docks. Many spectators gathered from the nearby camping areas. The course consisted of a 0.5 mile swim in chilly Summit Lake, a 17.1 mile rolling road bike leg from the lake to the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center, and a 6.2 mile hilly run through the Cranberry Glades and then back to the nature center.

Upon entering the water, Mark Robbins of Charlottesville, Virginia asked where iPlayOutside has been the last few years, "We've missed you guys. The triathlon wnet on without you, but we sure missed your pictures." The iPlay crew was happy to be in Richwood thanks to their Chamber of Commerce.

Carl Irwin, "Two thumbs up!"

The Mayor of Richwood was there to start it all off with a few words and a big smile. The mass start in the water sent ripples and waves throughout the lake, but at the turnaround point, the swimmers spread out considerably.

After the race ended, it was time for one heck of a feast. Racers ate for free while other made donations and there was plenty of food to go around. Baked beans, grilled chicken and hamburgers, pasta salad, you name it they had it. A wonderful ending to an excellent day provided by Richwood Chamber of Commerce. This was the 19th year for this event and the experience shows.