The local triathlon scene is bookended by the East Cooper Coastal Triathlon in April and the Kiawah Island Triathlon in mid-September, but for those
looking for something off-road, the season starts after the local on-road season wanes. And the warm days of Indian summer are the time to begin gearing up for “adventure” triathlons. Folly Beach Challenge New this fall is the inaugural Folly Beach Challenge on Sept. 27. It features a 3-mile paddle on the Folly River to Folly Beach County Park, an 8.5-mile bike on the beach from the park to the Washout and back, and a 3-mile run from the park to the pier. The paddle is not limited to kayaks. Canoes and stand-up paddleboards are options. The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission is capping the first event at 100 individuals and 65 three-person teams. Matt Rosebrock, festival and event manager for the county parks, says that he is surprised at the interest in the event so far.
“I’ve been getting at least two e-mails and one phone call a day about it,” says Rosebrock. “I figured if we got 50 (individuals) to sign up for the first one, I’d be happy. We’ve got 46 already.”