The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Get you some; hell, get you all of it on April 30
by Than Acuff
The idea was right as rain when Tiff Simpson conceived of the CB3P in 2013. Now, four years later, the CB3P has become a staple of the competition circuit, right alongside the Chainless Race and the Al Johnson, and Sunday, April 30 marks the 5th Annual CB3P.
The CB3P is a traditional pole, pedal and paddle using the local natural amenities as the venue. The unique part of the CB3P is that it follows the natural spring run off route linking Crested Butte Mountain to Gunnison using skis, bikes and boats.
While local in its inaugural year, with a couple of participants from the Salida and Durango areas, the event grew to include 72 athletes last year, including some from as far as Salt Lake City, and was voted “Best Triathlon in the Rockies” by Elevation Outdoors Magazine.
Aside from all of the hype though, the CB3P is everything one could ask for in a classic off-season tradition. It’s got skiing, biking and boating and showcases all levels of athleticism from professional triathletes to a random from “the ‘Trose.” Not only that but the prizes are off the hook and there’s beer for all from Eddyline Brewery out of Buena Vista, Colorado.
The race starts with a skin up and a ski down a portion of Crested Butte Mountain at which point racers jump on bikes to ride from the base of Crested Butte Mountain Resort 27 miles to the North Bank put-in on the Gunnison River by Garlic Mike’s. Then it’s time to hop in your floatation device and paddle a 4.7-mile section of the Gunnison River. Most of the paddle is Class I and II finishing with one Class II+/III- rapid before hopping ashore to the finish line to carry your floatation device to the finish line.
Another great part of the CB3P is that there are options for all walks of Rocky Mountain athlete, and even the not-so-athletes, as you can either race solo or part of a team in a relay format.
Participants can register on or before April 23 for a discounted entry fee; the fee will increase after April 23. The race entry fee gets participants a goodie bag, the 2017 racer gift, free beer and food at the after party and entry into the raffle. The goodie bag and raffle are well worth the price of admission alone.
A complete course description, any additional information and registration can all be found at crestedbutte3p.com.
Do you CB3P?
