The North Country Triathlon swim course starts out at Hague Beach in the town of Hague, NY on Lake George.  Swimmers start the race from the sands of Hague Beach almost due south in an out-and-back course that is 1 mile when completed.  Course-line on the out-and-back is approximately 200 feet from the shore line and safety kayakers are strung along the course with the Hague Fire & Rescue team positioned mid-way on the west side of the swim-line.  Water is crystal clear, normally dead calm, and roughly between 68 and 70 degrees at race time (end of June). 

North Country Olympic Distance Transition 1

Swimmers come out of the water and will encounter a stripper looking to help pull their suit if need be, and then proceed approximately 50 feet to the transition area where the athlete is able to change, refresh, and grab their bike.  Athletes are required to walk the 50 feet to the entrance of the bike course onto Rt. 9 north before they clip in and begin the 26.5 mile ride out to Ticonderoga and back.

North Country Olympic Distance Bike Course

Once on their bike, athletes will head north on Route 9N out of the town of Hague, towards the town of Ticonderoga.  About ¼ mile from the transition area, bikers must take extreme caution rounding the left bend at Ruah Bed & Breakfast. Once they are past this bend, athletes are encouraged to get up to their race speed as quickly as they wish.  The course out to Ticonderoga is a mostly rolling and exposed ride, taking cyclists past beautiful farms and mountains. The road is shouldered for the most part, however riders should take note of cars as the roads are open to vehicles throughout the race.  Course markers alert the riders (in miles) of their current distance, so they may accurately set their pace.  As the riders approach the town of Ticonderoga, they will come to Monument Circle where there will be officers from the town of Ticonderoga directing traffic (cyclists and cars). Athletes will proceed around the monument and continue on Rt 9N until they come to the intersection of 9N and Racetrack Rd.  Again, officers will be on hand to direct traffic and athletes are directed left onto Racetrack Rd. Racetrack road is an old farm road and will take riders directly to Rt. 74 (base of Chilson Hill). Riders will take a left onto Chilson Hill Rd. (Rt 74) and make their way up the 3.1 mile climb to the turnaround at the top.  This is the most challenging part of the race. Many seasoned riders find this climb a great challenge. Average riders will find it difficult, but doable. All riders will be rewarded with a long, very fast run back down with sweeping views of the Adirondack mountain range. Pay close attention to your speed coming down the hill as there are several small variations in the pavement and riders should take care to find a comfortable and safe speed.  At the bottom of Chilson Hill, riders will take a right back on Racetrack Rd and take the same course back to Hague and the transition area that they did on the way out. Once back at the transition area, riders must dismount right before they come into the Hague Beach parking lot.  Athletes are to walk their bikes back into the transition area where they may get ready for the run course.

North Country Olympic Distance Run Course

Once out of the transition area, runners are green-lighted to pick up their pace and proceed left out onto Rt 9 south, taking the course against traffic (east side of the road).  There is a very limited shoulder on the run course, so runners are advised to take extra caution when running along 9N.  While the course has traffic safety measures in place, vehicle traffic is not stopped during the race. Course is generally rolling and shaded with one small hill on the outbound. Approximately 2 miles into the run, athletes will take a soft left onto the dirt road called Pudding Island Road (just a few feet after the entrance of Arcady Estates.  This dirt path is wonderful to run on, is nicely shaded and has virtually no vehicle traffic.  There is also a water station on this road and is a great time to refresh before the turnaround at 3 miles.  Runners will continue along Pudding Island Road and stay on it until it comes out again at Rt 9.  Runners are to continue south on Rt. 9 until they reach the turnaround about 100 ft. south of the Silver Bay General Store. Runners are to carefully cross Rt. 9N paying close attention to any vehicles coming in either direction and proceeding north along Rt. 9 against traffic back to the finish at Hague Beach.  Water stations are available every .5 miles on the run course.  Runners will cross over Rt. 9 at Hague Beach into the parking lot and through the large inflatable finish line. The entire race begins and ends at Hague Beach.

Click here for more information and to register:  http://www.northcountrytri.com/site3.aspx