Clash Watkins Glen set to debut this weekend

Race organizers aren’t expecting a large field, but they are ready for a big weekend as athletes experience the rare opportunity to run around the famous Watkins Glen Nascar track and take in the Finger Lakes Wine Festival as part of the inaugural Clash Watkins Glen triathlon this weekend. The Festival is expecting about 25,000 people who will be tasting the wares of over 90 vineyards, so even if there isn’t a large crowd for the race, there will certainly be quite an atmosphere.

The event is organized by Clash Endurance, the company previously known as Challenge North America, that puts on events at Nascar tracks in the United States. The company started with the landmark event at Daytona International Speedway (Challenge Daytona that has since become Clash Daytona), then expanded Miami (Homestead-Miami Speedway). This year two more events have been added to the calendar – this weekend’s race in the Finger Lakes region in northern New York State, and Atlanta, Georgia.

Related: Ready to Clash? The story behind the new series and its speedway thrills

Athletes will compete in a middle-distance event this Saturday that includes a 1.9 km swim, 80 km bike and a 17 km run. There are also duathlon, relay and open water swim races, along with a 5 km fun run. In addition to a free entry to the Wine Festival, athletes and their families will enjoy the spectacular region filled with beautiful waterfalls, lakes, hiking in the numerous state parks and much more.

You can find out more about the event here.

It’s going to be a busy triathlon weekend in the Finger Lakes – Ironman 70.3 Musselman will be taking place on Sunday, sharing the same lake for the swim.

Larger pro women’s field