On September 15th, the Tri-Freaks held their ninth annual Grand Columbian Triathlon in the Grand Coulee area. This was the second year that the swim portion was held in Spring Canyon in Lake Roosevelt. 

There were 280 participants competing in events of varying lengths:

• Super Tri – A 5 kilometer swim, 200 kilometer bike ride, and a 50 kilometer run.
• Ultra Iron – A 3.8 kilometer swim, 180 kilometer bike ride, and a 40 kilometer run.
• Long Half Iron – A 1.9 kilometer swim, 90 kilometer bike ride, and 21.1 kilometer run.
• Olympic Run – A 1500 meter swim, 45 kilometer bike ride, and 10 kilometer run.
• Duathlon – A 5 kilometer run.

The first swimmers hit the 60°F water just as it was getting light at 6:20 a.m. and the last of the bikes headed up the long hill at Spring Canyon Campground at approximately 10:40 a.m.

This was a coordinated effort of the Tri-Freaks Inc., the National Park Service, the Bureau of Reclamation, Grant County, Grand Coulee Fire and Ambulance, Wilbur Fire Department, Colville Confederated Tribes, Amateur Radio Operations from Okanogan, Grant and Lincoln counties, Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce and the students at Lake Roosevelt High School. 

Thanks to the coordinated efforts of all, the event went smoothly, with no close calls or injuries.  Even the smoke from the Barker Canyon Fire did not hamper the efforts of these amazing athletes. 

A big “thank you” goes out to all agencies and volunteers that made the event a success.

Contact Information
Name: Maria Jay, SUP Coordinator/Fee Manager