We are two months away from our 9^th annual Buck Hurley Triathlon presented by Cloninger Ford and Toyota! I remember 10 years ago when Sarah Busby walked into my office and mentioned we should have a pool swim triathlon at our YMCA. I told her that I would look into it if she would help. And here we are going into our 9^th year. Our triathlon is a big fundraiser for our Annual Giving Campaign, which kicks off on Tuesday, March 13, with a 7:30-8.30 a.m. breakfast, and the keynote speaker will Coach Dave Odom! This event is open to the public, but please RSVP prior to that day so we will know how many people to expect.

Our fundraiser, the Buck Hurley Triathlon, consists of a 300-yard swim, followed by a 10-mile bike ride (11 miles including coming and going to transition). We want this event to be exciting for everyone in this community. As with any event, local traffic will be affected for a short period of time (7:30 a.m. until about 9:30-10 a.m.). Because of the change we made last year for the 5K course, fewer drivers will be affected along the route. The Buck Hurley Triathlon will start at 7:30 a.m. with the pool swim, followed by the bike and then the 5K. You can get more info or sign up on runsignup.com. The entrance fee is $40 until March 30, then it goes up to $50. New this year is that the course is USA Triathlon certified. If you do not have a USAT membership, no worries. A day pass is only $15.

The swim portion is a 300-yard zig-zag through the pool. Your time doesn’t start until you hit the water. The bike course is coming out the gate on the Life Church side on Jake Alexander Boulevard. Then, take a right all the way to Statesville Boulevard, then turn right, all the way to Brenner, turning right and right again on Jake for the second loop, making it 10 miles. Enter back through the gate at Life Church side back to the transition. The 5K goes through the gate at the Harris Teeter side behind Harris Teeter on Brenner Avenue Greenway, staying on Brenner going towards Calvin Presbyterian Church where the turnaround is. Go back the same way you came, behind Harris Teeter turning to go through the gate behind the Y at the same side and finish. Needless to say, I am excited! It’s not too late to start training for the Buck Hurley Triathlon.

If you need any information on how to get ready for the triathlon or how you can volunteer, please email me at emarsh@rowanymca.org or call the JF Hurley Family YMCA at 704-636-0111, ext 212.

I hope to see many of you at our 9^th Annual Buck Hurley Triathlon on Sunday, May 6. And I hope you take the opportunity to be at our Annual Giving Campaign kickoff breakfast on Tuesday, March 13, from 7:30-8:30 a.m.

Ester H. Marsh is health and fitness director at the  JF Hurley Family YMCA and race director for the Buck Hurley Triathlon.