A slew of swimmers took to the Navesink under threatening skies in a past Red Bank Triathlon, the 2014 edition of which returns to the roads and rivers of the greater Green this Sunday morning, May 18.
It’s an aquatic display that’s as sure a sign of the imminent summertime season as any you’ll see — we speak not of seabirds or sailcraft, or even the odd pod of dolphins, but the priceless sight of scores of bathing-capped competitive swimmers, taking to the waters of the Navesink River for the Red Bank Triathlon.
The 2014 edition of the annual event — offering both Olympic Distance and Sprint Distance swim, bike, and run courses — commences at 7 am on Sunday, May 18, from Marine Park. Presented under the banner of race manager Doug Rice’s Split Second Racing and Sandy Hookers Tri Club, the USAT-sanctioned competition offers participants an opportunity to raise funds for numerous locally based causes and charities — in addition to “breathtaking views through Monmouth County on rural roads past farmlands, parks and the beautiful neighborhoods of Middletown Township, Holmdel Township and the Borough of Red Bank.”
The event previews on Saturday evening, May 17 with a Pre-Race Talk and Walk-Thru meeting at the Personal Best Nutrition tent in the park — a recommended early opportunity for participants to pick up race packets, otherwise obtainable on the morning of the event between 5:15 and 6:15 am (or on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon at Road Runner Sports in Shrewsbury). The race day climaxes with an awards ceremony at 12 pm, back at Marine Park.
The comprehensive event website has all the details on the day’s activities — from registration fees, route maps and heat times, to parking, race etiquette and that “famous SHTC bathing cap.”
