DECATUR-After last year’s cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wet Dog Triathlon is set to return July 10, 2021 in Point Mallard Park. The competition attracts hundreds of athletes from across the United States and serves as a fundraiser for a local nonprofit organization.
The Wet Dog Triathlon gets underway at 7 a.m. with a 400-meter swim in the Tennessee River followed by a 15-kilometer bike ride and ends with a 5-kilometer scenic run along the banks of the Tennessee River. The competition wraps up around 11 a.m. following an awards ceremony. This year is the 20th year and Mosaic Mentoring of North Alabama CEO and Race Director Leah Brown plans to have a birthday cake to celebrate with the participants.
Swim Course
The swim course is 400 meters in a tributary of the Tennessee River. The course is a simple out and back. For safety, all swimmers must wear a swim cap that is provided. Participants enter the swim based on their race number, from lowest to highest number. Race numbers are assigned based on the estimated swim time provided by participants on entry form. Swimmers can move back in line, but cannot move forward.
Bike Course
The bike course is a 9.3-mile out and back from the transition area to Rhodes Ferry Park. It is primarily flat and fast. Participants must mount and dismount in the mounting area. Although the police will be on hand, roads will not be closed. There will be a sweeper to bring the abandoned to the transition site.
Run Course
The run course is a 3.1-mile loop with a mix of trail, black top and asphalt. The course follows the Point Mallard Run/Bike Trail along the banks of the Tennessee River with a couple of small rolling hills.
Residents are advised are to be aware and to plan accordingly when visiting Point Mallard Park and surrounding neighborhoods on race day.
The Wet Dog Triathlon was started by the Decatur Jaycees as a local fundraiser for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Morgan County program, now operating as Mosaic Mentoring of North Alabama. The first event attracted 87 athletes, and at its peak, brought in over 600 competitors. Entrees for this year’s competition to date are from Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina, California, New Mexico and Virginia.
Entry fees are $50 for individual and $135 for a relay team entry. Registration is available online at https://www.mosaicnorthal.org/
All proceeds from the Wet Dog Triathlon go directly to Mosaic Mentoring. Because this is a fundraiser for a non-profit agency, refunds on registrations are not available. Race registrations are non-transferable.
For more information, contact Leah Brown, Mosaic Mentoring CEO and Wet Dog Triathlon race director, at 256.353.0157 or visit www.mosaicnorthal.org and click on the Events tab.
Media Release/Danielle Gibson, President & CEO
Decatur Morgan County Tourism, Inc.
