2015 Oregon Anvil Triathlon
I would love to have some company at the Second Annual Anvil Triathlon at Hagg Lake this summer. I’m sure the Run Oregon readers have the running down, why not add a little swim and ride into the challenge as well? I’m doing the Single Anvil, but for the true endurance junkies, there’s also a Double Anvil. The Single Anvil is a long course distance triathlon with a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile run. The Double Anvil is a 4.8 mile swim, 224 mile bike ride and 52.4 mile run. The Single Anvil will be enough of a challenge for me, but the serious bragging rights will belong to those people tackling the Double Anvil.
Held July 17-18 at Henry Hagg Lake in Gaston, this event is perfect for anyone who has wanted to tackle a long course triathlon, without traveling across the country for it. It’s also a fraction of the cost of a trademark Ironman event. The Single Anvil costs $350 and the Double Anvil costs $685. Both races are sanctioned by USAT (United States Ultra Triathlon Association) and the Double Anvil is sanctioned by the IUTA as well (International Ultra Triathlon Association). Check out the website for registration details, there is an application process, which is expected with this distance. Participants will get a race bag, race t-shirt, TrailRunner magazine and miscellaneous nutritional goodies. Finishers will receive a buckle or medallion, depending on the distance and a finisher’s shirt. First place men and women will receive a free entry for next year, second place finishers will earn half off their entry for next year and third place finishers will receive a 33% discount.
July 17, 2015 at Henry Hagg Lake
It is suggested that Double Anvil participants have at least a full Ironman distance triathlon or other significant race distance on their application. For Single Anvil participants, they should have completed one Half Ironman distance triathlon or some sort of endurance event. For both races, participants must be 21 years of age. The Double Anvil has a 39 hour time limit and the Single Anvil has 18 hours to complete the course.
The race begins at 7:00 AM on Friday, July 17th. The average water temperature is close to 70 degrees, so wetsuits are encouraged, but not required. The average temperature in July is 81 degrees and the low is 54, so hopefully we’ll get somewhere in the middle. The fun starts at Boat Ramp C and anyone familiar with Henry Hagg Lake already knows it’s a beautiful area to ride and run. I’m not a fan of open water swimming, unless it’s at a tropical beach, otherwise I might include that as well. The swim will just need to get done and, while I’m not excited about the swim, the water at Hagg Lake is at least a comfortable temperature, with an easy entry and exit. The bike will include loops and a whole lot of rollers, since this area is pretty much rolling hills. The run will include portions of trail, which is somewhat unique for a traditional triathlon and should be beautiful.
I’ve wanted to do the 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run for a long time and I’m finally going to check it off. It’s a deal, close in to Portland and will be a once in a lifetime event for me. (I will only be doing this distance once in my life.) Check out the athletes on their website and get inspired. If you’ve ever considered a long course triathlon, now is the time. Sign up and get training. I love that I get to train on the actual course since it’s so close to home.
The fun starts on July 17th at Henry Hagg Lake and will surely include a weekend of adrenaline and exhaustion. I’m both excited and nervous, excited for the training to come and nervous for that open water swim. Think about challenging yourself and coming out for the Single or Double Anvil Triathlon.
