MID ATLANTIC CUP

The Hawk’s Nest winds down New York’s Route 97 out of Port Jervis—also called Hawk’s Nest—is more than just a fantastic, winding piece of asphalt that’ll keep you entertained for about 90 minutes. It’s a road for connoisseurs, and history buffs know that it once served as the fun route for the cognoscenti en route to the United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen. Its considered one of the most thrilling roads to drive in the United States as attested by car companies like BMW and Mercedes-Benz who have shot commercials of their cars navigating the mazy bends.

It’s a unique stretch of highway between Sparrowbush and Mongaup that quickly snakes and curves as though the mountainside. You should navigate the twists at a cautious. The edge of the road is also the edge of the mountain, protected only by an old stonewall that looks like it was handmade by a mason long ago.

If you’re scared of heights, this isn’t the place for you. But if a little elevation doesn’t scare you, the Hawk’s Nest is a marvel of you should not miss.

The Triathlon starts at the shore of the Delaware River, where triathletes will swim out to buoy before turning clockwise to swim towards Roebling’s Delaware Aqueduct, also known as the Roebling Bridge. It is one the oldest existing wire suspension bridge in the United States. It runs 535 feet (175 meters) over the Delaware River, from Minisink Ford, New York, to Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania. Opened in 1849 as an aqueduct connecting two parts of the Delaware & Hudson Canal (D&H), it has since been converted to carry automotive traffic and pedestrians.

Your journey will take you through the breathtaking countryside of three states: New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It starts with a historic swim up the Deleware on the NY side before swimming back on the down the Pennsylvania side of the river to the finish. Now your journey will kick into hyper drive as you venture out onto the scenic snaking roads and rolling hills known as the Hawks Nest. There are plenty of challenging climbs and quick descents accentuated by gorgeous mountain views. The Long winding descents will offer you the most gorgeous views of the valley below, such as, Red-tailed hawks circle high above the mountain, looking for prey. Lush, green trees hug the Delaware River tightly and the boats appear to be the the size of Matchbox cars. On a summer day, the sfumato of haze makes this area look more like a piece of antique art than a real place.

The run is not to be outdone by the other two events as it takes you past the largest locomotive turntable in America, before turing towards Orange Square which memorializes the American Civil War and then taking you though American Revolutionary battle ground. The most spectacular part of the run is through Laurel Grove Cemetery, opened on July 15, 1856” with “impressive monuments and mausoleums” testify to the fact the cemetery was the final resting place for many prominent citizens. There is a DARK SECRET buried at the cemetery…can you guess what it is… 15% ANYONE WITH THE CORRECT ANSWER

The run course gives your family and friends plenty of opportunities to view you and cheer you on. You will want to save some energy for the run as you will need it for this course.