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Quadathlon a hands-on celebration
4-part race to commemorate Hudson’s voyage
By Brian Radewitz
Four hundred years ago Henry Hudson crept up the then unknown river in which he hoped would bring him to India. Instead of the spices and silk he sought after, Hudson returned to the Dutch East India Company with animal furs and tales of a land that contained abundant natural resources.
Now, four centuries after the maiden voyage, athletes can retrace Hudson’s historic path by running, biking, swimming and rowing through the lands and waters that make up the Henry Hudson Quadathlon.
On Aug. 2 the Quadathlon is set to kick off at 10 a.m. at Columbia-Greene Community College with registration set for 9 a.m. The trek winds through four towns, including Greenport, Catskill, Athens and Hudson, with four events along the banks of the river.
To start things off, participants run from the college to the Rip Van Winkle Bridge that connects Hudson and Catskill. With remarkable views of the Hudson River runners continue over the 145-foot-high bridge toward the Catskill Mountains.
“The views along the bridge are really amazing,” said co-coordinator Lenny Collins, who, along with Hillary Hillman, came up with the idea last winter. “We tried to choose a really scenic route that hit all four towns and is a reasonable distance for all levels of competitors.”
Participants will take in all the various residential neighborhoods as the first leg of the race runs through the town of Catskill and over the Uncle Sam Bridge. Immediately after the bridge, explorers dive into the swim portion of the race which takes place in the Catskill Creek.
The second leg is relatively short as swimmers make their way south around a buoy and then head north to where the stage began.
After emerging from the waters, participants grab a bike and pedal back over the Uncle Sam Bridge and head down Main Street, looping through Dutchman’s Landing and heading north on Main Street.
The bike portion of the race is the longest as cyclists climb hills through the Village of Catskill, cross Route 23 to Hamburg Road and descend to the edge of the river. Provided no one gets lost, everyone then bikes to Route 385 toward Athens, completing the third leg at Riverfront Park.
Survivors of the first three legs advance to the final portion of the race and get settled in their kayaks or canoes. Competitors paddle east across the Hudson River and circle around the historic Hudson-Athens Lighthouse, finishing the grueling journey at the Hudson Riverfront Park.
Collins expects upwards of 100 participants for the event, which is what most first-year races draw.
“We’ve got over 20 racers signed up already and we are hoping many more will come out. There are a number of other triathlons and races around but this is the only one we know of that is commemorating this event,” said Collins, who noted a large amount of runners are coming from New Jersey, Westchester, NYC and Long Island.
“There might be an easier way you can commemorate Henry Hudson’s expedition up the river that bears his name but probably few are as fitting as voyaging under your own power through the lands and waters that Hudson explored four centuries ago,” stated a release from the race committee.
Entrants may compete as individuals or on teams of up to four. There will be music and refreshments at an awards ceremony for participants as they arrive at Hudson Riverfront Park upon completion of the race.
The Henry Hudson Quadathlon is presented by the City of Hudson Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Celebration Committee. Net proceeds from the event benefit the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society, the Youth Center of Hudson and the Catskill Community Center.
“We have received donations from various local organizations that will cover the cost to run the race and then some,” stated Collins. “Residents and businesses in all four towns have been very receptive to the run. We are all really excited.”
For more information about competing in, volunteering for and sponsoring the Henry Hudson Quadathlon visit the event Web site www.hudsonquad.org or call 758-7093.
By Brian Radewitz
Four hundred years ago Henry Hudson crept up the then unknown river in which he hoped would bring him to India. Instead of the spices and silk he sought after, Hudson returned to the Dutch East India Company with animal furs and tales of a land that contained abundant natural resources.
Now, four centuries after the maiden voyage, athletes can retrace Hudson’s historic path by running, biking, swimming and rowing through the lands and waters that make up the Henry Hudson Quadathlon.
On Aug. 2 the Quadathlon is set to kick off at 10 a.m. at Columbia-Greene Community College with registration set for 9 a.m. The trek winds through four towns, including Greenport, Catskill, Athens and Hudson, with four events along the banks of the river.
To start things off, participants run from the college to the Rip Van Winkle Bridge that connects Hudson and Catskill. With remarkable views of the Hudson River runners continue over the 145-foot-high bridge toward the Catskill Mountains.
“The views along the bridge are really amazing,” said co-coordinator Lenny Collins, who, along with Hillary Hillman, came up with the idea last winter. “We tried to choose a really scenic route that hit all four towns and is a reasonable distance for all levels of competitors.”
Participants will take in all the various residential neighborhoods as the first leg of the race runs through the town of Catskill and over the Uncle Sam Bridge. Immediately after the bridge, explorers dive into the swim portion of the race which takes place in the Catskill Creek.
The second leg is relatively short as swimmers make their way south around a buoy and then head north to where the stage began.
After emerging from the waters, participants grab a bike and pedal back over the Uncle Sam Bridge and head down Main Street, looping through Dutchman’s Landing and heading north on Main Street.
The bike portion of the race is the longest as cyclists climb hills through the Village of Catskill, cross Route 23 to Hamburg Road and descend to the edge of the river. Provided no one gets lost, everyone then bikes to Route 385 toward Athens, completing the third leg at Riverfront Park.
Survivors of the first three legs advance to the final portion of the race and get settled in their kayaks or canoes. Competitors paddle east across the Hudson River and circle around the historic Hudson-Athens Lighthouse, finishing the grueling journey at the Hudson Riverfront Park.
Collins expects upwards of 100 participants for the event, which is what most first-year races draw.
“We’ve got over 20 racers signed up already and we are hoping many more will come out. There are a number of other triathlons and races around but this is the only one we know of that is commemorating this event,” said Collins, who noted a large amount of runners are coming from New Jersey, Westchester, NYC and Long Island.
“There might be an easier way you can commemorate Henry Hudson’s expedition up the river that bears his name but probably few are as fitting as voyaging under your own power through the lands and waters that Hudson explored four centuries ago,” stated a release from the race committee.
Entrants may compete as individuals or on teams of up to four. There will be music and refreshments at an awards ceremony for participants as they arrive at Hudson Riverfront Park upon completion of the race.
The Henry Hudson Quadathlon is presented by the City of Hudson Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Celebration Committee. Net proceeds from the event benefit the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Preservation Society, the Youth Center of Hudson and the Catskill Community Center.
“We have received donations from various local organizations that will cover the cost to run the race and then some,” stated Collins. “Residents and businesses in all four towns have been very receptive to the run. We are all really excited.”
For more information about competing in, volunteering for and sponsoring the Henry Hudson Quadathlon visit the event Web site www.hudsonquad.org or call 758-7093.
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