Labor Day weekend is on hand, which means many people's last chance to bask in the glory of the summer.
Cutline attribution
Swimmers compete in the Skinnyman Triathlon in 2007.
Swimmers compete in the Skinnyman Triathlon in 2007.
Some will be soaking up rays and relaxing. But for hundreds of runners, bikers and swimmers, that means a weekend of races that will be both fun and grueling.
On Saturday, the Skaneateles Labor Day Race Weekend will kick off for the fifth time. The multi-race event spans two days and three sports, giving competitors from near and far a chance to test their physical limits and spectators a chance to see an athletic spectacle.
Organizer Chris Legg said earlier this week that each of the weekend's five races offer unique opportunities for spectators. Hundreds of people will fill local parks and line the routes to cheer on the more than 1,300 racers who participate, Legg said.
The longest race is the Skinnyman Triathlon on Saturday. Though the event includes three events - swimming, biking and running - each leg of the race begins and ends at Clift Park in Skaneateles.
Anyone can grab a spot during the morning in the park and see all the action, Legg said. That includes as many as 750 swimmers on Skaneateles Lake creating a torrent of waves from kicking and splashing known as the “washing machine” effect, he said.
“It's pretty intense to see that many people kicking and going at the same rate,” Legg said. “It#,s a lot of white water out there.”
Organizers are also encouraging people to come out and watch the Coon Hill Grind bicycle time trial, which takes place at noon Sunday. Though short, the two-mile race requires bikers to struggle up the steep Coon Hill Road from the Skaneateles Ski Center to Tim's Pumpkin Patch.
Legg said people who line the road and wait at the top of the hill will feel like they#,re watching the Tour de France while bikers huff and puff up the hill.
“The biggest excitement is being on the hill between Otisco Valley Road and Rose Hill Road,” he said. “You're standing right next to the road. You have signs, you have cow bells, you're screaming.”
The other races on Sunday are viewer-friendly, as well, Legg said. People can watch swimmers hop off the side of the boat during the popular Escape From the Judge swimming race, and children between 4 and 12 will race for their ribbons in Austin Park during the SPLASH! Dash Kids' Fun Run.
Finally, runners will dash in front of the annual Labor Day Parade Sunday afternoon for the four-mile road run.
Those who want the challenge can even join, as the road run and time-trial bicycle race will have same-day registration. And all who participate will be giving to a local cause, as some of the proceeds from the event will go toward renovating the swim area in Clift Park.
“I think this is just overall a good experience for people,” Legg said.
Christopher Caskey
253-5311 ext. 282
christopher.caskey@
lee.net
If you go.
What: Skaneateles Labor Day Race Weekend
When: Saturday and Sunday
Where: Skaneateles
More details: Visit www.skanraces.com
On Saturday, the Skaneateles Labor Day Race Weekend will kick off for the fifth time. The multi-race event spans two days and three sports, giving competitors from near and far a chance to test their physical limits and spectators a chance to see an athletic spectacle.
Organizer Chris Legg said earlier this week that each of the weekend's five races offer unique opportunities for spectators. Hundreds of people will fill local parks and line the routes to cheer on the more than 1,300 racers who participate, Legg said.
The longest race is the Skinnyman Triathlon on Saturday. Though the event includes three events - swimming, biking and running - each leg of the race begins and ends at Clift Park in Skaneateles.
Anyone can grab a spot during the morning in the park and see all the action, Legg said. That includes as many as 750 swimmers on Skaneateles Lake creating a torrent of waves from kicking and splashing known as the “washing machine” effect, he said.
“It's pretty intense to see that many people kicking and going at the same rate,” Legg said. “It#,s a lot of white water out there.”
Organizers are also encouraging people to come out and watch the Coon Hill Grind bicycle time trial, which takes place at noon Sunday. Though short, the two-mile race requires bikers to struggle up the steep Coon Hill Road from the Skaneateles Ski Center to Tim's Pumpkin Patch.
Legg said people who line the road and wait at the top of the hill will feel like they#,re watching the Tour de France while bikers huff and puff up the hill.
“The biggest excitement is being on the hill between Otisco Valley Road and Rose Hill Road,” he said. “You're standing right next to the road. You have signs, you have cow bells, you're screaming.”
The other races on Sunday are viewer-friendly, as well, Legg said. People can watch swimmers hop off the side of the boat during the popular Escape From the Judge swimming race, and children between 4 and 12 will race for their ribbons in Austin Park during the SPLASH! Dash Kids' Fun Run.
Finally, runners will dash in front of the annual Labor Day Parade Sunday afternoon for the four-mile road run.
Those who want the challenge can even join, as the road run and time-trial bicycle race will have same-day registration. And all who participate will be giving to a local cause, as some of the proceeds from the event will go toward renovating the swim area in Clift Park.
“I think this is just overall a good experience for people,” Legg said.
Christopher Caskey
253-5311 ext. 282
christopher.caskey@
lee.net
If you go.
What: Skaneateles Labor Day Race Weekend
When: Saturday and Sunday
Where: Skaneateles
More details: Visit www.skanraces.com
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