Silverman Nevada Triathlon Tests Athletes

Were I a triathlete I don't know that I would ever aspire to do a triathlon in the Southern California area of not just Los Angeles and San Diego but also portions of Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico, as the forecast for this week, a mere two weeks before said triathlon, is calling for temperatures over 100 degrees in many spots. However, according to the Nevada Silverman Triathlon website a triathlon is what is on the docket in Henderson, Nevada and people are getting excited.

Henderson, which is just west of the Grand Canyon, an hour north of the Mohave Desert, and minutes south of Las Vegas, has hosted this triathlon twice before and sponsors this go around include the city of Henderson as well as Christensen International Law in what is named the 3rd Annual Nevada Silverman Triathlon.

For whoever is interested in finding out more about this insane event which will take place November 11, 2007, there is a full web page that the Silverman Nevada Full & Half distance triathlon has up. Their triathlon is legitimate by any standards and includes a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile biking portion, and a 26.2 mile run. For those who are interested in the triathlon in theory, but don't think they could pull off the full event; there is the half triathlon which seems just as punishing. For those who need help with the math on these staggering numbers that is a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike race, culminated by a 13.1 mile run.

The swimming portion of the Silverman course takes place across Lake Mead National recreation area but the people beginning their triathlon won't be enjoying any recreation on this day. Following the swim there is the bicycle portion. The 112 mile path reaches climbing altitudes of +9700 feet; sick! After you've done 2/3 of this challenging course, athletes are expected to go on a 26.2 mile run which will bring you up more than another 2000 feet in elevation.

It should not be surprising that not everyone finishes this grueling race. In fact, the real surprise is that people do finish this race at all. Last year 207 people started the race and only 151 finished.