The 36th annual Greenfield Lightlife Triathlon will take place Aug. 4, and this year’s race comes with a twist.
Due to bridge repair being done over the Green River, the race committee was forced to alter the race route this year after keeping the same course for the prior 35 races. The race will go back to its original course in 2020.
“It went through a lot of different manifestations,” Race Committee member Rick Roy said. “We came up with a course based on what we think is the safest route.”
The swim course has not been altered from past years, and the sprint run will also be the same as in years past.
The changes will affect the cyclists and international runners. All cyclists and runners will exit transition to the right on Nash’s Mill Road. Cyclists will ride out to Eunice Williams Road and do a U-Turn, while the International Run route will have runners run out to Eunice Williams Road and turn around where they will return to Plain Road.
“We came up with a course to deal with the bridge being out that didn’t send people down Eunice Williams,” Roy said of the absence of the Covered Bridge. “We felt it would be safer but we have a very big concern there’s a pinch point at Colrain Road.”
With this being a high traffic area with both runners and cyclists transitioning, as well as cars coming in both directions, there will be uniformed police, as well as two long-time committee members there who will direct traffic to keep the race moving and minimize the chance of an accident.
“We’re going to keep these people safe,” Roy said. “We’re obligated to do that and we will do that.”
Roy urged residents to try and stay off the roads involved in the race while it is going on at 8 a.m. to lessen the traffic and assure the bikers and runners stay safe.
Another change will take place with parking. Athletes and spectators can park at the swim area, but once the vehicle is there, it will not be allowed to leave until noon. An alternative is parking at what once was an old trailer park on Colrain Road.
“Parking may be a problem this year,” Roy said. “Fortunately the folks who own the Polish Picnic Grounds are allowing us to use it as a parking area and spectating area. They will be able to see everything that is going on in the race.”
For more information and maps of the routes, visit www.greenfield-triathlon.com