By Staff
PTRF and Friends of Goose Creek to benefit
By PATTI TRUJILLO
Special to the Daily News
The second Race for the River Kayakalon will be held April 26, rain or shine, at Goose Creek State Park. The Pamlico-Tar River Foundation and the Friends of Goose Creek will share the proceeds from the event, which will kick off PTRF’s spring schedule of events.
Goose Creek State Park superintendent Kelley Thompson said the event will help the park offer more opportunities for visitors.
The Friends of Goose Creek is a non-profit organization that raises money to fund expenditures at the park that are not covered by the state’s budget.
PTRF is a non-profit organization working to protect and enhance the environmental quality of the river and its watershed. PTRF sponsors the Riverkeeper, who works with the organization’s 2,500 members to provide the “voice of the river.”
In 2007, Inner Banks Outfitters of Washington and The Tricredibles of Greenville, a triathlon-enthusiast group, created the event — a kayaking-biking-running race. It was staged at Goose Creek State Park, 10 miles east of Washington. Both organizations will continue their sponsorship of the event this year.
Last year, organizers donated $1,000 to PTRF. They aim to donate a like sum to each organization this year.
The race, sanctioned by the U.S. Triathlon Association, includes a 1.5-mile kayak loop beginning at the park’s swim beach on the Pamlico River; a 15-mile bike loop on country roads outside the park; and a 3.1-mile run within the park starting on nature trails. East Carolina Road Racing will again provide timing and scoring.
Registration can be individual or in relay teams. Prizes will be awarded for first through third place finishers in gender and age-group categories: male/female, ages 16 to 19, 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59, 60 to 69 and 70 plus; overall male and female; and overall teams.
Harris said organizers are still looking for sponsors “within the local business community, particularly those who have to do with health and fitness and the like or anyone who wants to be part of this event.”
“The more sponsors we get the greater the donations we can make to PTRF and Friends of Goose Creek,” she said.
Registration will begin Feb. 1. Entry fees are $35 for singles and $70 for teams. Commemorative T-shirts are included with the registration fee. Kayaks will be available for rent at a special $15 race rate. For more information and registration details visit www.ptrf.org.