MOUNT VERNON – Ariel-Foundation Park (AFP) and HFP Racing (HFP) on Wednesday announced a partnership to host the Ariel-Foundation Park Triathlon and Duathlon on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021.
This event will be added to HFP’s Signature Event Series, which includes the American Triple-T, TOUGHMAN Ohio, Tri CLE Rock Roll Run and Ohio’s season-ending multisport event, the Ohio Fall Challenge.
“The Foundation Park Conservancy board is always considering new ways to attract visitors to Ariel-Foundation Park,” said Melanie Bolender, development chair for the Conservancy. “The opportunity to host a triathlon excites us because it not only will showcase this unique public space, but we will also be able to showcase Knox County’s two bike trails which converge at the park. Triathletes will discover Mount Vernon has a vibrant downtown and will undoubtedly return. This event is a win-win for our community.”
The Ariel-Foundation Park Triathlon and Duathlon will feature swimming in the calm and clear waters of Central Lake, followed by biking on the Ohio-to-Erie Bike Trail and the rolling hills in Knox County. The race finishes with a beautiful running tour of Ariel-Foundation Park. Participants who are non-swimmers can choose the duathlon division, which substitutes an opening run for the swim. Additionally, the triathlon offers a three-person relay (one swimmer, one biker, one runner) and the duathlon offers a two-person relay (one runner, one biker). There are three triathlon- and duathlon distances to choose from:
• Mini Triathlon: 250-yard swim; 7-mile bike; 2-mile run
• Mini Duathlon: 2-mile run; 7-mile bike; 2-mile run
• Sprint Triathlon: 750-meter swim; 21k bike; 5k run
• Sprint Duathlon: 5k run; 21k bike; 5k run
• Olympic Triathlon: 1500-meter swim; 38k bike; 10k run
• Olympic Duathlon: 5k run; 38k bike; 10k run
All finishers will receive a handsome finisher medal, and the top three in each division will receive custom awards (including relay teams).
“HFP Racing is thrilled to be partnering with the Ariel-Foundation Park in bringing this awesome new event to the Ohio multisport community,” said Shannon Kurek, co-founder of HFP Racing. “Our participants will love this meticulously manicured park and the proximity to downtown Mount Vernon, which will make it a great family-friendly event.”
“This event has the makings of becoming a signature event in Mount Vernon,” Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr said. “Recreation, especially at Ariel-Foundation Park, has been and will continue to be an economic driver for our community while providing fun and interesting activities for our residents and visitors alike. The City is looking forward to working with HFP Racing and the Conservancy in shining another spotlight on this premiere park.”
About HFP Racing: Founded in 1988, HFP Racing has been serving the multisport community for over 30 years. Over the last three decades, HFP Racing has been blessed to have played a significant role in the building of multisport within the Mideast region. HFP Racing is a family-owned business co-founded by the husband-and-wife team of Shannon and Jennifer Kurek. Find more details on the 2021 events at hfpracing.com.
About Ariel-Foundation Park: Located in Mount Vernon, Ohio; the park is a stunning 25-acre example of adaptive reuse, created on the former site of a glass-making factory. It offers architectural ruins, lakes, an observation tower, walking trails, steel sculptures, a museum and connection to both the Kokosing Gap Trail and the Heart of Ohio Trail. For more information about the Ariel-Foundation Park, visit arielfoundationpark.org; and follow the AFP on Facebook and Twitter.
