The quiet hills of Northern California were not short of excitement last weekend as the expanding HITS Triathlon Series welcomed roughly 1,500 athletes to the Napa Valley region for the second-annual weekend of racing at Lake Berryessa’s Chaparral Cove.
“This is one of the most beautiful venues in our series,” said Mark H. Wilson, Race Director with HITS Triathlon Series. “That, coupled with the recent traction that HITS has gained in the multisport world, registration numbers nearly doubled from last year.”
While the course was labelled one of the more challenging available in the United States last year, Wilson levelled the playing field this year and some modifications revealed a more welcoming race-experience. “The courses were slightly flatter this year and, as a result, it was still challenging, but better suited to all levels,” he said.
With over 1,000 cars taking the usually calm roads to Lake Berryessa, local restaurants and businesses experienced a significant increase in business. “This is the busiest weekend we have had ever,” said Stefan Gusberti, chef and owner of local restaurant, Cucina Italiana. “It’s great to see this kind of buzz up here again.”
HITS Triathlon Series, which boasts ‘a distance for everyone!’, offered five distances in Napa Valley. The event continued to grow the sport of triathlon as new triathletes were born from the HITS Open – a 100m swim, 3 mile bike and 1 mile run. Seasoned athletes, however, were welcomed to a picture-perfect swim in Lake Berryessa, sweeping bike courses with plenty of climbing and a run with spectacular views during the Sprint, Olympic, Half and Full distance events.
The 2013 HITS Triathlon Series schedule continues on 27-28 April, with a weekend of racing in Marble Falls, Texas. The complete 2013 schedule is finalized and registration for all races is available at HitsTriathlonSeries.com.
Due to the popular 2013 HITS pricing structure, it is expected that several of the five offered distances will sell out before each race day. (As an incentive for early registration, all athletes who complete their registration more than four months ahead of race day will receive 75% off the regular registration fee.)
All upcoming events will offer qualifying opportunities for both HITS Athlete of the Year Awards and the HITS Championship in Palm Springs, California, on 7-8 December 2013. Registration for the HITS Championship is open to the first 500 athletes in each distance. Once 500 register, qualifying will be required.
