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More WataugaLakeMagazine articles:

The Butler Museum

Learn how and why Watauga Lake was formed and how the citizens of "Old Butler" Tennessee were changed forever. . . .

A Kayaker's View

See Watauga Lake up-close from a Kayak

Watauga Lake Triathlon

Swim over 1,000 yards in a deep lake, race in your bike over 21 miles through the mountains, THEN... run 5 miles ...

Appalachian

The Appalachian Trail skirts Watauga Lake and crosses it at the Dam ...

Blue Hole Falls

Just a short drive from the lake, near Elizabethton, Blue Hole Falls is a beautiful set of waterfalls ...

Pioneer Landing

Learn more about the easternmost marina on Watauga Lake ...

Watauga Dam

The dam that creates Watauga Lake ...

Jonesborough TN

Home of the International Storytelling Festival ...

Iron Mountain Inn

See this beautiful lodge with breathtaking views ...

Rat Branch Boat Ramp

This is the westernmost boat ramp on the lake ...

Watauga Point

This beautiful park is great for picnics, boating and swimming ...

The Carter Mansion

Where Tennessee history started. Learn about the Carter family ...

Doe River Gorge

See the beautiful gorge and ride the rails where the Tweetsie Train traveled ...

Gray Fossil Site

A spectacular fossil site discovered not long ago ...

Colonel Roderick Butler

Learn about the man for whom the town of Butler was named ...

Sugar Hollow Retreat

See this spectacular mountain retreat ...

Fish Springs Marina

This beautifully situated marina offers many services to lake boaters ...

See photos from other Watauga Lake Triathlons . . .2009 . . . 2008 . . . 2007

Swimmers at the Watauga Lake Triathlon

2006 Watauga Lake Triathlon: Part 1

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All photos and illustrations by Pat Johns ©2007 - present
All Rights Reserved
See links to article references at the end of the article.
part 1    Go to part 2
July, 2007

Swim over 1,000 yards in a deep lake, race in your bike over 21 miles through the mountains, THEN run 5 miles through those same mountains. On September 30, 2006 well over 100 athletes did just that, some in under 2 hours. Many completed all 3 portions of the race and some formed teams to complete the course. It all took place on a beautiful East Tennessee Fall morning.

Bicycles lined up at the Watauga Lake Triathlon

According to the Triathlon's website,

"The Third Annual event will take place on Saturday, October 6, 2007, at the Sugar Grove Baptist Church and a local family farm perched on the banks of the lake in a scenic, pastoral setting. This will be a low-key festive event with great prizes, awards, and a post-race barbecue."

Their website quotes the following from a past participant:

"Thank you for a fantastic event! This was our first year at the Watauga Lake Triathlon, and we'll definitely be back next year. We loved every aspect of the race. The event location is fantastic. The bike course really showcases the area, and we enjoyed the scenery as we huffed and puffed up the long climbs. We enjoyed the challenging nature of the course."
Officials in kayaks and canoes watch the swimmers in the Watauga Lake Triathlon

Watauga Lake is 16 miles long and has nearly 105 miles of shoreline. The project was started by the TVA in 1942, was interrupted by World War II and finally completed by the end of 1948. It makes a beautiful setting for this triathlon event.

In this photo, event officials in kayaks and canoes watch over the swimmers in the first of three portions of the competition.

For a look at the course route see the links at the end of this article.

Summer camps at nearby Pioneer Landing Watauga Lake Tennessee

The competition begins near the Sugar Grove Baptist Church. The location is near the locally-familiar Pioneer Landing Marina and Camper sites and the bridge at Pioneer Landing.

Go to Part 2 of this article

Links to references in this article and to sites related to the Watauga Lake Triathlon: