Granite Man, Applegate, OR, USA

Granite Man

Granite Man is an exciting off-road running, duathlon and triathlon event held at beautiful Applegate Lake nestled at 2,000 feet in the Rogue River National Forest. Applegate Lake has been a long time Southern Oregon favorite for mountain bikers, trail runners and swimmers but this is the only multi-sport competition held at this very special venue. Choose from the challenging 10 mile mountain run, the roller coaster off-road duathlon or the awesome off-road triathlon. New events include Kids' Triathlon and 2 Mile Fun Run.

10 Mile Trail Run:
This is an exceptional USATF 10 mile trail run that starts at Hart-Tish Park and crosses Upper Applegate Rd to Collings Mountain Trail. The course follows the length of the Collings Mountain Trail. You’ll encounter an abandoned miner’s cabin and an inactive Sasquatch trap. Several mine adits (tunnels with one entrance) are also found along the trail. You’ll take in excellent panoramic views of Applegate Lake and the Siskiyou Crest at several locations along the trail. While traversing the western slope of Collings Mountain you’ll gain 1,000 feet in elevation. Trees encountered along the trail include old growth Douglas fir, sugar pine, ponderosa pine, Pacific madrone, white oak and Saddler oak. Cross Upper Appelgate Road again and finish downhill to Hart-Tish Park. Breath in the mountain air and smile at your accomplishment!

Off-road Triathlon:
If you’ve had the opportunity to do other off-road triathlon courses, you’ll be pleased to find that there are none better than Granite Man. The 0.75 mile swim, 13 mile mountain bike and 5 mile run are very nice individual segments but, when put together, they add up to maximum fun! The views across the lake of the majestic peaks of the Red Butte Wilderness and surrounding Rogue River National Forest lands are spectacular. Applegate Lake is at its best this time of year, full with fresh spring run-off. You may compete as a Granite Man individual or as a three-person team with each team member doing one of the segments.

The 0.75 mile swim segment is in Applegate Lake and starts and ends at the Hart-Tish park beach. Hart-Tish is one of the few Forest Service parks with several acres of beautifully groomed lawn down to the water’s edge. Swimmers will start in one or two waves depending upon the number of participants. Wetsuits are recommended as water temperatures are expected to be in the mid 60′s.

The 13 mile mountain bike section starts at Hart-Tish Park and goes clockwise around the lake to Seattle Bar. At Seattle bar, participants will rack their bikes and complete the course with a 5 mile run back to Hart-Tish Park.

On the bike and run, participants will utilize 12 miles of single-track, 3.5 miles of pavement and 2.5 miles of forest roads that follow the fingered shoreline. It includes many short, moderately difficult climbs and a lot of very fun undulating terrain. There are two steeper climbs encountered which are about 0.25 mile long each. The trail is never too technical but it is definitely challenging. The single-track trail surface is mainly decomposed granite and you can expect some rocks and possibly windfall. There are numerous side streams you’ll cross on wooden bridges. All course intersections will be well marked.

Off-road Duathlon:
This is hands down the best off-road duathlon course in Southern Oregon! It combines a 13 mile mountain bike segment and a 5 mile run segment which takes you completely around the gorgeous lake. You may compete as an individual or as a two-person team with each team member doing one of the segments.

The mountain bike section starts at Hart-Tish Park and goes clockwise around the lake to Seattle Bar. At Seattle bar, participants will rack their bikes and complete the course with a 5 mile run back to Hart-Tish Park. Participants will utilize 12 miles of single-track, 3.5 miles of pavement and 2.5 miles of forest roads that follow the fingered shoreline. It includes many short, moderately difficult climbs and a lot of very fun undulating terrain. There are two steeper climbs encountered which are about 0.25 mile long each. The trail is never too technical but it is definitely challenging. The single-track trail surface is mainly decomposed granite and you can expect some rocks and possibly windfall. There are numerous side streams you’ll cross on wooden bridges. All course intersections will be well marked.