18 months ago the president of the Austin-based sports management company, Cadence Sports, came to check out Possum Kingdom as the venue to host an Olympic triathlon that he hopes might one day compete in popularity with the Ironman. Gary Metcalf stood atop the Gaines Bend cliff overlooking the cove of water below, took one look at Devils Island and the Hells Gate rock formation, and simply spoke one word, "Epic". It is true, the Gate is Epic! And heroes will be made on Sunday, September 16th, as competitors from all over the nation vie for prizes, including a pro triathlete purse of $5000. Both olympic and sprint distance races will take place during this inaugural event, one that will surely bring to the entire Possum Kingdom Lake area attention of a different kind! It's not just all about boating here at PK! Behind the event is a very large Local Organizing Committee made up of numerous local volunteers representing the Possum Kingdom Chamber, YMCA Camp Grady Spruce, Brazos River Authority, EMT and many other individuals who have been working the last year and a half with Cadence to pull the event together. Trifecta Triathlon will directly benefit YMCA Camp Grady Spruce. The course for both races will take swimmers beginning at 7:20am from the shore of Camp Grady Spruce out towards Hells Gate and back. They'll transition to bikes and peddle out towards Graford on those fantastic roads so widely used by cyclists throughout the year. The foot race will start at South D&D public use area with the first leg being run on the fabulous BRA hike/bike trails! Runners end up at the Camp Grady Spruce shoreline for the finish and post event activities with the awards ceremony beginning at noon. Roughly 300 registrants are expected this first year. A volunteer structure of nearly 150 positions is needed to support the competitors. Recruitment is underway for positions ranging from athlete check-in and registration, to manning water stations along the route, to finish line support. This is an exciting way to get up front and close to athletes, all the while supporting the PK community. You can also participate through the host-housing program by having an athlete stay in your home during that weekend. Go to www.TrifectaTriathlon.com for both athlete and volunteer registration. GET READY! We're less than 2 weeks away from this epic event! It's going to be a lot of fun, join in!