The Alleghany Highlands Triathlon was started 2009 to showcase our area's natural beauty under a competative spotlight. It has been a joint sucess through the hard work of Clifton Forge Mainstreet, the YMCA and the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism. The race has grown, and this year we look for as many as a hundred participants.
This year's course is the same as last year's. It will consist of a run from the Highland's YMCA to Alleghany Highschool via a wooded gravel road that runs along the base of scenic Fore mountian. From the high school, competitors will enter the river for a challanging (but not too technical) paddle down the Jackson river, exiting the river at the Alleghany County Governmental Complex in Low Moor. Racers will then mount their bikes for the final leg of the race. This "dog leg" will highlight our friendly local communities and some of the best scenery as bikers speed through Low Moor, Selma and Clifton Forge. The scenery peaks as cyclist reach the turn around at the end of Verge St. where mountains, rivers, roads and rails all meet. After that it's a gentle climb following the same route back to Low Moor, finishing at the YMCA. Post Race festivities will include award ceremonies for the AHTri and the Appalachian River Race series as well as a picnic lunch and live music at the YMCA.
The AHTri is also proud to be part of the 2nd annual Appalachian River Race Series, a triple crown culmination of three great races, the Great Greenbrier River Race, the Lexington Road and River Relay and the Alleghany Highlands Triathlon.