To Do in Bend: Watch the Deschutes Dash Triathlon this weekend
This weekend is the 2010 Deschutes Dash Weekend Sports Festival, one of the best races Bend, Oregon has to offer. Over Saturday and Sunday hundreds of people will be swimming, biking and running as they compete in one of an array of events, from the Olympic-distance and Sprint triathlons and duathlons to kid-friendly multisport races.
What makes this event so great is how spectator friendly it is. Beginning and ending in the Old Mill District, you can cheer racers swimming, biking and running all in the same area. The best spots for spectating would definitely be the footbridge at Farewell Bend park, where you can watch the swimmers go by underneath you; the transition areas next to the flag footbridge at the Old Mill where you can watch racers transitioning from the swim leg to the bike leg and then from the bike leg to the run leg; any where along the river to watch the runners; and the flag footbridge itself to catch the racers at the finish line.
Here is a schedule of events for the weekend. If you’re not racing this weekend, you should at least be cheering!
Saturday, July 17
6 a.m. — Late packet pickup opens; transition area opens
7:30 a.m. — Olympic-distance triathlon begins
8 a.m. — Olympic-distance duathlon begins
9 a.m. — 10-kilometer run begins
10 a.m. — First triathletes expected to finish
11:30 a.m. — Awards ceremony for Olympic triathlon, duathlon and 10K races
Noon — Kids Splash ‘n Dash begins
1 to 5 p.m. — Packet pickup and registration for Sunday events only, 520 S.W. Powerhouse Drive, Suite 627, Old Mill District, Bend
3:30 p.m. — Free open-water swim clinic at Farewell Bend Park
Sunday, July 18
6 a.m. — Late packet pickup opens; transition area opens
7:30 a.m. — Sprint-distance triathlon begins
8 a.m. — Sprint-distance duathlon begins
9 a.m. — 5-kilometer run begins
9 a.m. — First triathletes expected to finish
11 a.m. — Youth triathlon begins
12:30 p.m. — Awards presentation for sprint and youth triathlon, duathlon and 5K races
Martha Hendrick is a real estate expert in Bend, Oregon, specializing in the neighborhoods of Northwest Crossing, Awbrey Butte, Awbrey Glen, the Parks, and Broken Top. For property listings and information about Bend visit hendrick.com.
