News

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 31, 2012

Charlemont, Massachusetts; the Outdoor Adventure Capital of New England

The Grand Inaugural Berkshire Highlands Pentathlon was a smashing success on foot, on bicycle, on water, and over hills and dales. All People-Powered!

The Berkshire Highlands Pentathlon was a mere glimmer of an idea less than a year ago, yet the producers, who are the owners of Berkshire East Ski Resort, and Zoar Outdoor, and brave lads themselves, had doubts that such a complex undertaking could actually come to fruition so soon. With the certain support of their Charlemont Economic Development Committee, and the constabulary of Charlemont, Florida, Monroe and Rowe, they assembled a fine cadre of local volunteers. These energetic citizens helped put together an exceedingly beautiful five -port event which embraced the unknowns of late March. This betwixt season is locally referred to as either “Sugar Season” or “mud season.”, Clearly, an event like this which needs snow for snowshoeing and skiing, clear roads enough for cycling, water enough for kayaking, and trails open enough for running can only happen in a narrow window of time.

Requisite support extended to valuable sponsorships with the Greenfield Recorder and Steve Lewis Subaru who offered leadership to the many critical sponsors that followed in an effort to raise badly needed funds for The Franklin Land Trust and the Highland Communities Initiative.

One hundred twenty outdoor people powered sports enthusiast athletes from as far away as North Carolina and New Jersey toed the muddied start line with great expectations one and all. There were “Brave Heart lads and lassies that pushed themselves through all five sports as well as Tam O’ Shanter Teams of Two and Tartan Teams of five. Some would finish gloriously in just under 3 hours while others would need as much as 4 ½ hours. However all would beam with justified pride and delight. Athletes would run the rugged trails for more than a mile ascent strait up to a “Sound of Music Field Descent” where they were treated to the most perfect sound of Eric Goodchild’s Bagpipes before wending their way on narrow paths to Zoar Outdoor and climb onto road bicycles for the second assault of the day.

After more than 9 miles climbing through Rowe, cyclists had to devout themselves to a safe steep descent to Monroe Bridge. Now it was just a mere 10 miles more along the upper Deerfield River passing Florida’s Hoosac Tunnel before donning safety vests for the five miles of kayaking to Historic Charlemont Center.

The penultimate effort to be would require power-walking up the slopes of Berkshire East and handing off to the skier/descender that had to ski somewhat awkwardly through uphill, as well as downhill, gates to the finish below and the bagpipes. Fellowship and good cheer were supported by Baker’s Oven Wood-fired Pizza and Berkshire Brewing Co. Beer in a commemorative pint glass. A fine time was had by all, and plans are underway for 2013 with suggestions valued and appreciated. Results and photos can be found at www.berkshirehighlandsevents.com and on the face Book page “Berkshire Highlands Pentathlon”

Results link:

http://www.berkshirehighlandsevents.com/tl_files/pages/Results/BHP%20Results%202012.htm