We are only three weeks away from our eighth annual Buck Hurley Triathlon presented by Cloninger Ford and Toyota. I can’t believe how time flies. Our triathlon on Sunday, May 7, which is a big fundraiser for our annual giving campaign, consists of a 300-yard swim followed by a 10-mile bike (11 miles including coming and going to transition) and a 5K run.

This year, the 5K course is new.

We want this event to be exciting for everyone in this community, but as with any event, local traffic will be affected for a short period of time. By changing the 5K course, fewer people will be affected this year.

Also added this year is the Buck Hurley 5K. The Buck Hurley triathlon will start at 7:30 a.m. with the pool swim followed by the bike ,then the 5K. The first annual Buck Hurley 5K will start at 7:45 a.m. on the same day and participants, runners and walkers will do the 5K only.

You can get more info or sign up on runsignup.com or at our JF Hurley Family YMCA. The Triathlon is $55 and the 5K is $20.

For the triathlon, the swim is a 300-yard “zig zag” through the pool. Your time doesn’t start until you hit the water. The bike course will come out the gate on the Life Church side on Jake Alexander Boulevard, take a right all the way to Statesville Boulevard, turn right, all the way to Brenner Avenue, turn right and right again on Jake for the second loop making it 10 miles. Enter back through the gate at Life Church side back to the transition.

The 5K goes through the gate at the Harris Teeter side, behind Harris Teeter on Brenner Avenue greenway, staying on Brenner going towards Calvin Presbyterian Church where the turnaround is. Go back the same way you came, behind Harris Teeter turning to go through the gate behind the Y at the same side and finish. The Buck Hurley Triathlon and 5K finish in the same location. Needless to say, I am excited. It’s not too late to start training for the Buck Hurley Triathlon or Buck Hurley 5K.

If you need any information on how to get ready or questions about these two events or how you can volunteer, please email me at emarsh@rowanymca.org or call the JF Hurley Family YMCA at 704-636-0111 ext 212.

I hope to see many of you at our eighth Annual Buck Hurley Triathlon and first Annual Buck Hurley 5K on Sunday, May 7.

Get ready to “Buck Up!”

Ester H. Marsh Health and Fitness Director JF Hurley Family YMCA and Race Director Buck Hurley Triathlon and 5K.