THREE RACES IN THREE DAYS … AND THEN SOME!
OLYMPIAD Summer Sports Festival Offers Something for Everyone – Plus Loads of Free Family Fun!

From an insane Three Races in Three Days Challenge to a Junior Olympiad, golf tournament and more, the Hickory Nut Gorge Olympiad on August 26-29, 2010 offers the perfect event for anyone and everyone.  Plus, with an attractive selection of FREE activities, the Olympiad makes entertaining families on a budget easy!  Whether you are a serious athlete in need of the ultimate challenge or a family looking for a fun getaway, here is the buffet of events and activities available:

Three Races in Three Days – Can You Handle It?
Ten athletes did it in 2009 – now it is your turn in 2010.  The Olympiad’s race weekend extravaganza boasts a 10K Dam Run on Friday, Aug. 27; the Lake Lure Sprint Triathlon on Saturday, Aug. 28; and the Race to the Rock on Sunday, Aug. 29. While athletes are welcome to compete in just one or two of these races, the Olympiad wants to see who has what it takes to do all three!

• 10K Dam Run: The 10K Dam Run begins at Ingles Market on Highway 9, heads east across the Lake Lure Dam and along the lake’s scenic perimeter to finish on the Beach at Rumbling Bald Resort. Athletes are rewarded on this steady, but reasonably uphill run by stunning views of grand mountains and picture-perfect water.

• Lake Lure Sprint Triathlon: Celebrating its sixth year, the Lake Lure Sprint Triathlon starts on the Beach at Rumbling Bald Resort with a 500-meter swim in nearly 80 degree, glassy water. Next, enjoy a 16.9-mile bike course that curves through the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Finish back on the beach after a winding 5K through a beautiful valley paralleling Bald Mountain Golf Course.

• Race to the Rock: With a 7% grade all the way up, this 5K run or 7K bike course is the ultimate challenge.  Athletes are supremely rewarded with an amazing view of Lake Lure as they catch their breath beneath the 315-foot tall Chimney Rock.

Free Family Fun
If FREE is the key word in this equation, the Olympiad’s Opening Ceremonies starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 27 should meet your needs.  The evening begins with the lighting of the Olympiad Torch, followed by a spectacular water-ski show complete with high-flying wakeboard flips, ski pyramids, water ballet, barefoot skiing and more. Come and be wowed!  Then, enjoy the breathtaking view of Lake Lure as athletes from the 10K Dam Run and 1-Mile Family Fun Run cross the finish line.  Finish the evening with an amazing display of fireworks and free ice-cream sundaes on the beach courtesy of Rumbling Bald Resort.

If the budget allows for a little wiggle room, other fee-based competitive events include lake swims, kayak races, golf tournament, tennis tournament, dragon boat races, pontoon boat challenge, horseshoe tournament, shag competition, and volleyball tournament.

Junior Olympiad - For the Kids!
For just $10 per child, the Junior Olympiad on Saturday, Aug. 28 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. features tons of fun, competitive and non-competitive games for children including:

For more information including pricing and details for all events, please visit the Hickory Nut Gorge Olympiad website at www.hickorynutolympiad.com or call 828-429-9011.  The Hickory Nut Gorge Olympiad is a non-profit organization that coordinates charitable regional sports festivals.  The Olympiad has given back more than $140,000 to charities since 2005.  The 2010 Hickory Nut Gorge Olympiad on Aug. 26-29 is presented by Rumbling Bald Resort and Pinnacle Sotheby’s International Realty and proceeds will benefit the new Lake Lure Classical Academy.

A young runner competes in the 50-yard-dash at the Jr. Olympiad games.  Photo by Russ Pitts

A young girl shows off her many medals won at the Jr. Olympiad games. Photo by Russ Pitts

The Lake Lure Ski Club demonstrates a 3-2 pyramid at the Olympiad Opening Ceremonies. Photo by Russ Pitts

Triathlon winner Jay Curwen of Asheville stays focused on the 16.9 mile bike leg of the course. Photo by Chris Wolfe