Each March Beaufort’s Sea Island Rotary hosts the awesome Hunting Island Adventure Biathlon Race at Hunting Island State Park, SC. This year’s race will be held Saturday, March 26 at 11 a.m. The race includes a 6-mile paddle followed by a 4.5 mile trail run in the park. What is the adventure part? Every year the lagoon and trail conditions in the park are a little different, and the Rotary throws in a few other surprises for a little extra fun.
The race begins in the park’s lagoon where racers paddle kayaks or stand-up paddle boards (SUP) out of the lagoons and into Fripp Inlet, circle around the Fripp Island Bridge and then back to the lagoon. From there, the racers transition into a 4.5 mile trail run through the natural maritime forest of Hunting Island. Athletes may complete the course in teams, where one paddles and the other runs – which we call a Relay Team. Also some racers paddle as a team in a tandem kayak and then run the trails together (they must finish together). This is designated a Tandem Team.
The Adventure Biathlon has grown substantially over the past 10 years into one of the Southeast’s premiere Adventure Kayak/Run Biathlons. Athletes travel from across the country and even outside the US, just to participate in this local favorite event. The race averages about 180 athletes who compete in a variety of award categories for great prizes. After the race, participants and event organizers meet for the Official Post Race Party to enjoy beer and chili, and fellowship (or bragging as some like to call it). To register online go to huntingislandbiathlon.com.
