Rough Patch Off Road Triathlon/Paddle

RACE START

•  8:00

TRIATHLON OR PADDLE 

Early Bird Pricing, 11/02/2020 – 12/31/2020:

• $109

Mid Registration, 1/1/2021 – 6/25/2021:

• $119

Late Registration, 6/26/2021

• $129

DUATHLON

Early Bird Pricing, 11/02/2020 – 12/31/2020:

• $90

Mid Registration, 1/1/2021 – 6/25/2021:

• $100

Late Registration, 6/26/2021

• $110

The Rough Patch is a triathlon/duathlon that defines the word rugged. Join other rugged athletes for the inaugural off-road triathlon racing over roots, rocks and swimming in Green Fall Pond. This event highlights the rough and rugged terrain of the Pachaug State Forest. The area provides the best possible race day adventure experience, in a fun, friendly, family-focused environment. The race is in stark contrast to standard triathlon/duathlon experiences and will challenge athletes with uneven terrain, dirt, rocks, and tree limbs. This area was chosen as the event site for its unique topographical characteristics, undeveloped natural beauty, and the challenge for on- and off-trail routes. With that said it is of great importance that we leave no trace, it is very important to us as race directors that all who participate in this race know that whatever you bring in must leave with you.

Pachaug State Forest was established with a 1,011-acre land purchase from the Briggs Manufacturing Co. in Voluntown in 1928. In 1933, the first year the Civilian Conservation Corps began, Camp Lonergan was established in the Forest. As funding became available, the forest quickly grew, totaling 12,000 acres by 1937. The actions of the Resettlement Administration, in 1937, acquired an additional 9,000 acres and leased the land to the state for forest production. Eventually, this land was deeded to the state.

At present, Pachaug covers 26,477 acres in six towns and is the largest state forest in Connecticut. The word “Pachaug” is derived from the Native American term meaning bend or turn in the river. Pachaug River, in the nine miles from its source at Beach Pond to its junction with the Quinebaug River, traverses approximately twice that distance in the course of its various windings and turns. Pachaug-Great Meadow Swamp was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1973 and is considered one of the finest and most extensive Atlantic white cedar swamps in Connecticut.

About The Friends of Pachaug Forest

We are losing 3,700 irreplaceable acres of forest land a year in Connecticut. Furthermore, New England is measuring a loss of  69 acres of unique forest and open spaces daily. In addition to this challenge, public funding for conservation and open space is dropping precipitously. According to a Harvard Study, the financial support to protect these resources has dropped fifty percent between 2008 and 2014.

Pachaug State Forest is the largest state forest in Connecticut, and one of its last vast unspoiled tracts of land. It is located within the area designated by Congress as The National Heritage Corridor. Being part of the National Corridor signifies that it is part of the only remaining large expanse of forest and open lands in the busy corridor between Washington D.C. And Boston.

The founders of Friends of Pachaug Forest met through a variety of environmental action groups involved in Pachaug Forest issues. After meeting and discussing our interests, we all recognized there was a need for a non-profit group that was targeted to education, recreational use, proper conservation management, volunteerism, and community support for the Pachaug State Forest. This forest was bestowed upon the people of Connecticut for future generations to enjoy. We choose to educate, inform, and work to preserve and protect this essential piece of history. We want to help people recognize that the forest touches on six towns and is visited by those throughout the state and beyond.

We are just starting out. Our intention will be informing, and interacting with other environmental groups, and fundraising. We will be advocating sound conservation, encouraging the use of this wonderful resource, and working in unity with other groups for the benefit of the forest. We will explore many avenues for supporting the forest including hosting events. We are off to a good start and have commitment and passion. We hope to engage others who care about this unique living system. Our deepest goal is to ensure that this special forest goes forward undamaged so that coming generations can enjoy, commune, and find that peace within.

Nature is so generous, giving us everything important and asking nothing. For all, it’s expanse and beauty this forest is helpless to defend itself. Friends of Pachaug Forest is choosing to rise to the challenge and work on behalf of a secure future for the flora and fauna of our forest. We need like minds and hearts. It will require financial and other resources and creative thinking. We need help in assisting people to empower and inform themselves and others, to attend meetings, share what we learn, and involve in all issues that affect the Pachaug Forest in every town touched by this regional issue.

Please choose to join your personal power and good intentions with ours and rise to the challenge in whatever way you can TODAY!

Learn more about The Friends of Pachaug Forest

• Kids ( Age 12 years and Under): 300-yards out and back from the beach
• Open ( Age 13 Years and Over): 800-yards leaving the island on the right shoulder to one buoy returning with the island on your right shoulder.

• Open (13 Years and Over) Races: Two loops of this 4.1-mile course which is a mix of a gravel road trail and singletrack trails over rock slabs.
• Kids (12 Years and Under) Races: One loop

Open (13 Years and Over): 3.8 miles going around a pond and adjoining trails. This is a very technical run and includes river crossings on logs, rock hopping on trails, single track, gravel roads…and it is a whole lot of fun!

There is NO parking allowed in the campground area. However, it can be used for unloading.

All cars will be parked on one side of Green Falls road as directed by volunteers.

Please be mindful that this is a shared-use location – a state park – with campers, hikers, dog walkers, etc. Respect the Pachaug Forest by leaving no evidence of your visit after you leave.

Parking opens at 5 am race morning.

Finishers

An On Your Left medal

Open – Swim, Run, Bike (13 Years and Older, Men and Women)*

• 1st place: $100, Local Artisan Crafted Pottery & On Your Left Swag
• 2nd place: $75, Local Artisan Crafted Pottery & On Your Left Swag
• 3rd place: $30, Local Artisan Crafted Pottery & On Your Left Swag

Age Groups – Swim, Run, Bike – Athena and Clydesdale (13 Years and Older, Men and Women)*

• 1st place: Prize Money (TBD), Local Artisan Crafted Pottery, On Your Left Swag
• 2nd place: Local Artisan Crafted Pottery & On Your Left Swag
• 3rd place: Local Artisan Crafted Pottery & On Your Left Swag

Open – Paddleboard/Kayak/Canoe, Run, Bike (13 Years and Older, Men and Women)

• 1st place: Local Artisan Crafted Pottery & On Your Left Swag
• 2nd place: Local Artisan Crafted Pottery & On Your Left Swag
• 3rd place: Local Artisan Crafted Pottery & On Your Left Swag

Kids (12 Years and Under, Men and Women)

• 1st place: Local Artisan Crafted Pottery & On Your Left Swag
• 2nd place: Local Artisan Crafted Pottery & On Your Left Swag
• 3rd place: Local Artisan Crafted Pottery & On Your Left Swag

*Cash awards payable to participants age 18 and over

Rules: A Message from the Head Referee:
All competitors please read. It is your responsibility to know the rules!!! Most triathletes come to races with only a rudimentary understanding of the rules of the sport. Indeed, few have ever read through the Competitive Rules in its entirety. In order to minimize misunderstandings on race day, I hope you will take the time to read the following summary of Position Violations, which you probably know as the drafting rules. We have reduced the Position Rules to the following concepts, which everyone can remember:

• RIDE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF YOUR LANE
• NO DRAFTING! KEEP THREE BIKE LENGTHS BETWEEN YOURSELF AND THE CYCLIST IN FRONT OF YOU
• PASS ON THE LEFT OF THE CYCLIST IN FRONT, NEVER ON THE RIGHT
• COMPLETE YOUR PASS WITHIN 15 SECONDS
• IF PASSED, YOU MUST DROP COMPLETELY OUT OF THE ZONE, TO THE REAR, BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO REPASS
• ALWAYS HAVE YOUR CHINSTRAP FASTENED
• NO IPODS ALLOWED ON THE COURSE

Remember you are racing in a USA Triathlon sanctioned event and there are trained referees on the course to ensure fairness in the competition. There will be no warnings if you commit a foul during competition. A triathlon is an individual event and you must take personal responsibility to understand the rules and avoid penalties. We hope you have a great race, lots of fun, and achieve all of your goals.