A swimming, biking, and running event in Fletcher encourages a vintage look (but only in clothes, not equipment)
There’s no such thing as the dog days of summer in Fletcher. The Henderson County town greets August with its decidedly high-energy LPC Triathlon, hosted by the Lelia Patterson Fitness Center. The athletic event, now in its fourth year, is comprised of a 200-yard pool swim, a 17.5-mile bike ride through beautiful mountain backcountry, and a 5K run that ends, Olympics-like, on a track complete with finale tape.
Contestants can enter as individuals or as a team, sharing the spokes of the journey. Recognizing the origins of the triathlon in the jogging craze of the Me Decade, organizers have also made the race a costume contest. Old-school tracksuits, short-shorts, glossy unitards – anything that screams “Jane Fonda Workout Refugee” is what’s hot that day.
The dress-up factor majorly adds to the fun. You won’t be able to tell if that stitch in your side is from your rival’s funny terry-cloth sweatbands or from your own calorie burn.
Sunday, August 2, 8am start time. At the Lelia Patterson Center, 1111 Howard Gap Road, Fletcher. Proceeds benefit LPC’s swimming programs for kids. www.lpcenter.org