Sunday April 17, 2005
7:30 AM
Isle of Palms County Park
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THE QUEST...
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| "... many athletes discover that true adventure is part of themselves, not the sports they play. That is what triathlons promise: an adventure for the body, an exploration into vast uncharted territory of the self. A triathlon is an agonizing self-test, an endless moment of truth when ego must grope for substantiation. Many people will never enter such contests, not because of the effort but because of the risk of self-discovery. The race poses the most frightening question of all; who am I? Am I an imposter, a self-made failure, a coward, a fool? Or, can I use the triathlon to bring out my best human qualities? Can I make it a kind of heroic quest?" |
Sally Edwards |
Article from The Post & Courier.
New triathlon course steals spotlight at inaugural event
BY JONATHAN SANCHEZ
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The inaguaral 2005 East Cooper Coastal Triathlon is set to go. This weekend looks sunny with temperatures finally rising to the 70's on Sunday. Sunday morning, however, will be brisk. We are taking several steps to adjust to this unseasonal weather; the swim will be reduced to a 0.4 mile swim. Each participant will be provided with a bag that their clothing can be placed in at the swim start that will be shuttled to the finish line to await their athlete's arrival.  is renting wetsuits for a discounted price of $20. Registration and packet pickup will be from 5 to 7 PM on Saturday at the Isle of Palms County Park and resuming at 6 AM on Sunday morning. |
The course for the Coastal Triathlon is absolutely breathtaking; not just in the sense of being a tourist, but in the sense of an athlete pushing themselves over a course that challenges their athletic ability and at the same time rewards the senses with the beauty of the natural environment. The low lying Isle of Palms Connector that rises 80 feet above the Intercoastal Waterway provides a panoramic view of Sullivan's Island, the Atlantic Ocean, the two mile expanse of marsh that joins Isle of Palms to Mount Pleasant, and the old and new Cooper River bridges off in the distance. Hungry Neck Boulevard, which will be closed to traffic, will provide cyclists, with a criterium-like bike race midway through the triathlon. Crossing over Breach Inlet onto Sullivan's Island and back creates the feeling of almost skimming across the water. The finish line at Town Centre, with food and beverage provided by  and Bodacious Bagels, will embrace the finishers with a flourish. A shuttle bus will be available to ferry finishers back to the Isle of Palms |
| As the entrys, despite the weather conditions, have continued to come in this week, it has strenghtened our belief and gratuitude that we are incredibly fortunate to have been able to play a role in the sport of triathlon. Although triathlons embody the simple, child like activities of swimming, biking, and running; when they are combined as one and are taken on by serious-minded adults, they in fact ultimately do become individual quests for self expression and self discovery. Thank you for allowing us to share your heroic quest. |
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Paul and Kathleen King |
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Contact Paul King ECCT E-mail |