There is no other race in Oregon like this gem near Grants Pass! This beautiful course winds its way down the Merlin-Galice scenic byway following the legendary Rogue River past the rim of awe inspiring Hellgate Canyon, through historic Galice and turning around at the gateway to the wild lower Rogue - Grave Creek Bridge.
The Rogue Triathlon Hellgate Challenge consists of a 7 mile run, 24 mile bike, and 5 mile paddle. You may compete as an individual or as part of a relay team. Each team member completes one of the three legs. The 7 mile Challenge Run is a popular option for those who want to participate on just the road race course. START TIME IS 7:45AM
Event Divisions/Entry Fees
Team Triathlon Male/Female/Coed..$110
Individual Triathlon ........................$50
12K Challenge Run..........................$25
Run - 7 miles The exciting run section begins at the west end of the town of Merlin. Participants will leave Merlin heading west on Merlin-Galice Road. The first couple of miles pass through a pastoral and forest setting and provide a good warm-up for you to settle into your pace. As the rugged mountains close in on each side, a series of hills rise gently up and down with the crest at the edge of Hellgate Canyon. The last 1 1/2 miles is downhill to Indian Mary Park and the bike transition.
Bike - 24 miles Cyclists will leave Indian Mary heading towards Galice. The course follows the winding river on paved Merlin-Galice Road through a truly gorgeous canyon the entire length. Bikes turn around at Grave Creek Bridge high above the Rogue and return to Indian Mary and the paddle transition. The bike route is characterized by long minor grades and a short steep climb near the park. ANSI or CPSC certified helmets are mandatory. Mountain or road bikes may be used. No drafting is allowed. No assistance is allowed.
Paddle - 5 miles If you've never paddled the Rogue, you are in for a real treat. Paddlers enter the water at the boat ramp in Indian Mary Park. There are several Class I & II rapids separated by long calm stretches on this section of river. The three part Class II rapid just upstream from Galice should be scouted by those unfamiliar with the river. The finish is at the Galice Resort boat ramp. Inflatables, sit-on-tops, and kayaks are allowed. Lifejackets are mandatory. Helmets are required for hard shell kayakers. No oarlocks or hard shell kayaks over 13 feet long. Racers may elect to use a longer kayak but will be assigned a 15 second penalty for each inch over 13'-0".
Awards will be presented to the top three teams in each team category and to the top three individual male and female finishers. Awards will also be presented to the first place individual finisher in each male and female age group category. Age groups are 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 and over. ALL participants will receive a Rogue Triathlon Hellgate Challenge T-shirt and custom FINISHER MEDAL. Registration - online registration will close on July 30, 2008 at 12:00AM PST. Mail-in registration must be received by July 30, 2008. Late registration will be August 1, 2008 at Indian Mary Park from 12:00PM - 7:00PM. There is no race day registration.
Packetpick-up will be at the lower parking lot in Indian Mary Park from 12:00PM - 7:00PM Friday August 1st. Bikes and kayaks should also be numbered and placed in the designated transition areas at that time. Security will be provided for the transition areas until 2:30PM Sunday. Only participants will be permitted access into the transition areas. There will be NO race day packet pick-up. If you cannot be present at packet pick-up, please make advance arrangements with the event by no later than July 23rd to have your race packet mailed to you. There is a $5.00 charge for this service and you must send in a signed event waiver for each participant, including each team member, before your packet will be mailed. Shuttle - This is a point-to-point race so a shuttle is required. You may provide your own shuttle or take advantage of the FREE event shuttle. If you use the event shuttle you will need to use your personal vehicle to drop off and set-up your equipment in the transition area at Indian Mary - ideally you will choose to do this during packet pick-up on Friday. You will then drive your vehicle down to Galice where you will park and then catch the shuttle bus to the race start in Merlin. The shuttle bus will depart Galice on race morning at 7:00AM. Challenge runners may park at Indian Mary and catch the shuttle bus at 7:10AM in the parking area across the road from the Indian Mary Park entrance.
Boat rental Inflatables and sit-on-tops are available from Galice Resort (541) 476-3818 and Orange Torpedo Trips (541) 479-5061. Call EARLY for reservations and tell them it's for the Rogue Triathlon. Lodging A wide variety of lodging and camping is available in the area. Visit the Grants Pass Visitor and Convention Bureau at www.visitgrantspass.org or Galice Resort at www.galice.com. Reservations for camping at Indian Mary may be at www.reserveamerica.com. Reserve EARLY as this is a very popular area and mention the Rogue Triathlon.
Ó Copyright 2006 Rogue Multi-Sport, LLC. All rights reserved.
