As the sun rose over Inkwell Beach on Sunday morning, athletes of all ages gathered to compete in the fourth annual event that features swimming, distance biking and running.
The third year was the charm for the Vineyard Warrior Triathlon, organizer and founder Matthew Brackman reported Monday afternoon. The annual event takes place the second week of September, and drew 160 competitors this year.
Mr. Brackman, himself a triathlete, told the Gazette he was first inspired to start the Vineyard Warrior, the first event of its kind on-Island since 1994.
The Vineyard Warrior triathlon touches down on the Vineyard on Sunday, Sept. 8, for the third year in a row. Contestants begin at Inkwell Beach in Oak Bluffs for a one-mile swim, the 28.84 mile bike portion follows, with the 6.2 mile run completing the race. The finish line is back in Oak Bluffs at Waban Park. There is also a relay division and a spring division with a .4 mile swim, 12.7 mile bike and 3.71 mile run.
The starting time for Sunday is at 7:30 a.m., so get up early to cheer on the triathletes.
The first Vineyard Warrior Triathlon, held Sept, 11, raised more than $2,500 for the Martha’s Vineyard Boys’ & Girls’ Club, according to Matt Brackman, president of Odyssey TriSport and race director for the event. Odyssey Trisport donated a portion of all contestants’ registration fees to the Island nonprofit, as well as to the Oak Bluffs Police department for a parks beautification project.
On Sunday morning 250 hardy souls will encircle the Vineyard on foot, on bike and in the sea in search of glory. The scope of the first ever Vineyard Warrior Triathlon reminds race organizer Matthew Brackman of Homer’s Odyssey, and promotional materials feature racers attacked on all sides by creatures from Greek mythology. When rosy-fingered dawn rises on Sunday, Mr. Brackman hopes a new Vineyard tradition will be born.
What do Mark Allen and the tall ship Providence have in common? They’ll both be on hand for the inaugural Vineyard Warrior Triathlon in September. Race director Matt Brackman says he is pulling out all the stops to make this one of the most memorable races in the country, and, he hopes, an annual stop for beginner and elite racers alike.
