Wirth Park Hosting Annual Tri-Loppet on June 25: a Worthwhile Event

What's a tri-loppet?  Roughly, the word 'loppet' derives from Scandinavian culture and means an endurance race which occurs across varied terrain.  The annual tri-loppet (now the UCare Tri-Loppet www.tri-loppet.com) combines canoeing or kayaking around the chain of lakes, and trail running and off-road cycling through into a single, challenging but fun event for all. 

As far as I know, it's the only urban off-road triathlon of its kind. The tri-loppet is not just an event for wonks and fanatics.  Hearkening back to the days of the local Paul Bunyon Canoe Derby, at 9 am on June 25th, a veritable flotilla of over 300 canoes and kayaks (and a few odd paddle craft) piloted by folks of all ages, backgrounds and abilities will cue up for the start of the dash around the chain of lakes.  The spectacle of hundreds of paddles churning the water at once is something to be seen. 

Singularly, the start of the tri-loppet sends shivers up the spines of many experienced canoeists. After the 8k paddle around Calhoun, Isles and Cedar, participants will land on the north shore of Brownie Lake for the first, and probably most challenging, transition area.  Here the 5k run begins -- with some imposing climbs into Wirth Park.  The runners wind their way over the steep hills and through the wooded trails of southern Wirth (and briefly through adjoining Bassett's Creek Park) on their way to the second transition area near Wirth Lake Beach, where the cycling leg of the event begins.

Cyclists head into north Wirth on an 11k ride that is a combination of paved, dirt or grassy path, single track and hills (including the heartbreaker behind the golf chalet).  After passing by the 45th parallel at the extreme north of Wirth Park (yes, there is a bolder there noting it as a point exactly halfway between the North Pole and Equator), the cyclists will head back to the Wirth beach area along the eastern side of the park for the finish.

The tri-loppet is a great showcase for the many and fortunate natural offerings of the park.  Many first-time event participants are amazed at the size, terrain and beauty of Wirth Park;  they literally had no idea that any of its numerous, wooded trails existed.  The tri-loppet also promotes fitness and community, while combating, in a fun way, an increased disconnect engendered by our age of instant electronic entertainment.  And the tri-loppet is a welcoming event for all ages and abilities in which individuals can do the whole thing, or family or corporate teams (both loosely defined) can split duties in a relay.  All this, right here, in the heart of our cities.

I hope you're now thinking about picking up a paddle, lacing up your running shoes or pumping up the tires on your bike.  It's not too late.  Registration for this year's tri-loppet closes after June 22nd.  If not, then at least I hope you're considering turning out to watch, poking around Wirth Park to explore, and perhaps planning for next year.