Nick Murray of Bingham Township is divided on what will be the most difficult portion of Saturday’s inaugural M-22 Challenge triathlon.

“Without a doubt the Dune Climb will be the most challenging part of the triathlon,” he said.
Then, thinking about it a little more, Murray added: “But, the bicycle climb up Inspiration Point will also be tough.”

Murray is one about 100 competitors who have already registered for the triathlon taking place around Glen Lake. Organized by brothers Matt and Keegan Myers, with help from their father, Matt Myers Sr., the race starts promptly at 9 a.m. All three components of the race begin and end at the Little Glen Lake Park off of M-109.
NICK MURRAY with the surf ski boat that he will use during part of Saturday’s M-22 Challenge triathlon.
Participants will begin by taking a 17-mile bike ride around Glen Lake. Next, racers will run out of the park onto M-109, turn left and head to the Dune Climb. It will include a run to the top, and then eventually down to a marked trail that takes them back out M-109. Participants will then sprint back to the park to complete the 2-mile running portion.

The final leg takes a different turn for a triathlon. Instead of swimming, participants will instead use a "paddle-propelled water craft" to complete the race. The water portion of the event covers one mile on little Glen Lake. Competition rules state participants may use any sort of watercraft they like, but may only use one paddle. It may be a two-blade paddle, like those used for kayaking, but the paddle can’t be fixed to the craft.

Myers Sr. said previously that the paddle portion of the event was important because swimming this time of year can be iffy, given water and weather conditions.

Murray is originally from a small town in Alaska south of Anchorage. He grew up playing “regular” sports, but has always enjoyed bicycling. “Over the last five to six years I’ve probably done 12 to 15 triathlons. It is something I really enjoy,” he said.

At 34, Murray maintains his peak physical condition by cycling and running every day and paddling his surf ski as often as he can. “I do quite a bit of paddling whenever I can. It’s a great way to get some exercise and be out on the water,” he said. A surf ski is similar to a rowing skull except the rower uses a two-blade paddle.

It was the paddling part of the Challenge that attracted Murray.
“As soon as I heard about it I signed up,” he said. Murray said there aren’t a lot of triathlons that have paddling as the water part of the race. “It is getting to be more popular,” he said.
Murray did a run-through of the different race disciplines Friday for the first time. “I went over there with some friends and we rode the bicycle course, went up and down the Dune Climb. It’s going to be a fun challenging course,” he said.

Murray and his wife moved to Leelanau County in 2001. He works out of his Bingham Township home as a business consultant for IBM.

Myers Sr. said registration will be held today from 5 to 7 p.m. at his sons’ store in Traverse City, M22. “I think we’ll have a lot of people sign up there,” he said. A second registration takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at Little Glen Lake Park, and those already registered may come with their bicycles and paddling equipment to store it at the site. “We are going to have security at the park all night, so people won’t have to worry about their stuff,” Myers said.

A volunteer orientation will be held from noon to 9 p.m. at the park, with a pizza party for volunteers at 6 p.m. “They can come and learn where they are going to be and what they will be doing during the race. Everyone is getting really excited,” Myers said.

Late registration will be held on Saturday from 7 to 8 a.m. Myers said it’s best if people register before Saturday morning as there will only be a few spots available and a late registration fee will be assessed. Myers said the entire event should be completed by noon or 1 p.m. at the latest.
Visit www.m22challenge.com for more information or to pre-register.