Musselman Triathlon this weekend in Geneva

The twelfth-annual Musselman Triathlon will be held this weekend, July 10 – 12, in Geneva, New York. The event is expected to bring over 1,500 participants to the area from across the U.S. and Canada.Musselman Weekend consists of four different races: the Musselman, a half-iron distance race held on Sunday; the mini-Mussel, a sprint distance triathlon on Saturday; the microMussel, a ‘super sprint’ featuring children’s tricycles and Big Wheels-style toys, on Friday evening; and the MusselKids Race, a triathlon for children ages 6-10 and 11-14, also held on Friday evening. The races are staged at Lakefront Park on Friday, and Seneca Lake State Park on Saturday and Sunday.”The goal of the Musselman Triathlon has always been to put on a world-class event in what we believe is a world-class venue,” says race director Rich Clark. “It really doesn’t get more beautiful than the Finger Lakes region, and we couldn’t ask for a better backdrop for this sport than Geneva and Seneca Lake.”The race has been cited by national sporting publications ten times in its twelve-year history. The Musselman Triathlon was selected as one of the ‘Top 100 Races in the World’ by Triathlete Magazine in its most recent ‘Editor’s Choice’ rankings. Earlier this year it was named a top race for new triathletes by Women’s Health Magazine.The Musselman is one of a handful of triathlons in the U.S. with a national presence despite being directed and organized by individuals local to the communities in which the triathlon is held. The event was founded by Jeff Henderson, a Geneva resident, in 2004; Clark, a Buffalo native, takes over as race director for 2015. Clark is vice president of Score This, a timing and race production company, and had previously served as timer for the Musselman every year since 2004. His company also puts on other triathlons in the Finger Lakes, including events on nearby Keuka and Canadaigua lakes.Race organizers are particularly proud of their history of making the Musselman Triathlon feel like a “local” race, choosing to showcase products from local sponsors, and even sourcing awards locally. This year triathletes will once again enjoy a taste of the Finger Lakes with fruits and juices from Red Jacket Orchards, cheeses from Muranda Cheese Company, and nut and seed butters from Once Again Nut Butter, among others. Awards include bottles of wine from Chateau LaFayette Reneau, Billsboro Winery, Knapp Winery, and Anthony Road Wine Company, all part of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail.”This is our twelfth year with the Musselman, and we are excited to be expanding our role from timing to race direction this year,” Clark says. “This race has a long history of an amazing relationship with the community, and it really means something to be a part of bringing so many people here to see that.”