Portage County Races:
Run, Bike, Paddle

The series includes Headwaters Adventure Race, Black Squirrel Adventure Triathlon and Brady’s Leap Adventure Race. This is the second year the races have been packaged together, promoting health and unity within the community.

All races give participants a chance to connect with the area’s natural and cultural resources, highlighting the Cuyahoga River, along with historic sites, parks, trails and bike trails, nature preserves and scenic landscapes. Kent State’s Associate Vice President of Facilities Planning and Operations Thomas Euclide said the races help showcase Portage County’s unique features.

Two of the races, the Black Squirrel Adventure Triathlon and the Brady’s Leap Adventure Race, specifically highlight the city of Kent and the university. Kent State students, faculty and staff, as well as Portage County community members, are encouraged to participate in the races. It’s not too early to begin preparing for the events.

“It’s an opportunity for participants to view and take part in the great areas of Kent,” Euclide said. “All three races are very important to the Portage County community. They have similar themes of wellness and take advantage of Portage County’s resources and features.”

Euclide also urges local business to register and participate as teams. Last year, more than 400 people between the ages of eight and 68 participated in at least one of the races, and organizers hope to increase overall registration by 30 percent this year.

The three races are:

Headwaters Adventure Race – July 10
Starts at 8 a.m. at Buchert Park, Mantua Village.
$40 registration; $15 for walk only.

Participants will take part in a two-mile run (or walk) on Headwaters Trail, bike 10 miles on rural roads to Camp Hi Canoe Livery and paddle five miles back to Mantua on the upper Cuyahoga River, a state-recognized scenic river. Those who would like to participate but not run can participate in a fitness walk. For more information, visit http://www.portageparkdistrict.org/hrace.html.

Black Squirrel Adventure Triathlon – Aug. 7
Starts at 9 a.m. at Heritage Park, Kent.
$30 individual; $75 relay; $70 team.

The Black Squirrel Adventure Triathlon is a three-stage race that includes canoeing/kayaking, running and biking. Participants may enter under two categories: flat water or white water. Individuals can use a kayak or share a canoe with someone. Proceeds of the Black Squirrel Adventure Triathlon benefit the local Boy Scouts of America, who will be helping with the race day events. For more information, visit www.kentparksandrec.com.

Brady’s Leap Adventure Race – Oct. 23
Starts at 10 a.m. at Kent State’s Student Recreation and Wellness Center, Kent.
$30 for Kent State students and Student Recreation and Wellness Center members; $40 for non-members.

This race consists of biking, paddling (canoeing/kayaking), orienteering, rock climbing and trail running. Racers will have to use navigation skills as they are given a satellite image map and topographic map of the area and need to plot out how they will reach each checkpoint. For more information, visit www.kent.edu/recservices.

Series prizes will be awarded to the top individual male, female and team with the best overall combined time for all three races. The university also plans on providing a prize for the best team affiliated with the university. For more information about the series, contact Euclide at 330-672-3880 or visit any of the series websites.