Tugaloo Triathlon Set for Saturday

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

Athletes from around the Southeast will be descending on Lavonia and Tugaloo State Park tthis weekend for Saturday’s annual Tugaloo Triathlon.

First held in 1997, the event is now sponsored by Georgia Multisports Productions in Marietta, a company that specializes in triathlons.

Georgia Multisports Founder Jim Rainey said they typically get hundreds of athletes every year and this year is no different.

“We probably get about 400 athletes,” said Rainey, who added those athletes come from many different states.

The Tugaloo Triathlon consists of a 1.5-kilometer swim, which is a rectangular course in a cove in Lake Hartwell.

That is followed by a 42-km bike course from Tugaloo State Park, down Highway 328/Gumlog Road through Lavonia to Hartwell and back to the park.

Motorists on Gumlog Road, State Route 77 and the State Route 77 Extension/Lavonia Highway Saturday morning are urged to use caution as the cyclists make their way around the bike course.

Athletes will return to Tugaloo State Park where they will then run a 10k, which is an out-and-back course within Tugaloo State Park.

Registration for the Triathlon is still going on and anyone who wants to take part can still register today, according to Rainey.

He says you can register at Tugaloo State Park later this afternoon between 3 and 6 p.m.

The event gets underway Saturday at 8 a.m.