Do you trail run? Do you prefer racing on a mountain bike? Is equestrian trail riding your passion? Or, how about enjoying the views as you paddle downriver? There is still time to enter the 4th Annual ECTAthlon! This is a friendly relay competition held at Bradley Palmer State Park in Topsfield and Hamilton and on private trails in Ipswich where teams or individuals compete in running, mountain biking, horseback riding and kayaking events.
This unique event, which will be held on Saturday, June 7th, was envisioned as a way to bring diverse trail users together in a fun and exciting way, and to highlight the incredible network of trails in our area. The June 7th date also coincides with American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day, a series of nationwide events celebrating trails and trail access.
The event begins at 10:30 am at Bradley Palmer State Park. Runners will start off the relay with a 3.5 mile loop through the northern part of the park, returning to the start where they will pass their number over to their mountain biking teammate. Mountain bikers follow a similar course through the park and into nearby Black Oak Farm, about 3.8 miles. Riders and their equine counterparts will then follow a 4.5-mile course through private trails east of Winthrop Street. This “optimum time†course challenges riders to pace themselves to fall within a predefined time range – times too fast or too slow will be penalized. Finally, kayakers will meet their equestrian teammate at the north end of Winthrop Street where they will launch into the Ipswich River and paddle 4.4 miles downriver to Peatfield Street in downtown Ipswich.
Teams will race to cross the finish line at EBSCO, where they will celebrate with lunch and live music during the awards ceremony. Friends and spectators are welcome to attend the post-race celebration. In addition to prizes for first through third place teams, there will also be awards for the Highest Combined Age, Lowest Combined Age, Best Team Name and Best Team Attire! The Iron Man Award will be presented to any participants completing three or more divisions of the race
New in 2014
We’ll be awarding prizes to the top finishing runner, biker, rider and kayaker! We are also looking for business-sponsored teams to join our corporate challenge division.
If you need help finding team members, contact ECTA and they will help you put a team together. There will be a pool of equestrians willing to help complete a team.
Entry Fees
$40 per person/$160 per team by April 30th
$50 per person/$200 per team by May 31st
$60 per person/$240 per team after May 31st
A participant can compete in more than one leg of the race for an additional $20 cost per discipline.
Proceeds benefit the Essex County Trail Association, a non-profit organization that helps to maintain and protect access to the trails and open lands in Ipswich, Hamilton, Wenham, Topsfield, Essex and West Newbury. For information, call 978-468-1133 or email ashley@ectaonline.org.
Click here to view the 2012 course map (this will be updated for 2014). The equestrian portion will be extended about .4 miles.
Visit our Facebook Page to see photos of past events and to see updated information!
Thank you to our Sponsors! If you are interested in sponsoring the 2014 ECTAthlon, please contact us.
