GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. – The Dirty Mitten gravel triathlon has a new debut event date. After the originally planned inaugural race was cancelled this fall due to COVID-19, Tris4health has rescheduled the new triathlon event to take place in-person in the fall of 2021. This unique format of racing will debut as West Michigan’s only gravel triathlon and is composed of a swim, gravel bike and trail run that will span over the grounds of the YMCA’s Camp Manitou-Lin in Middleville, Michigan.
The new date of The Dirty Mitten can be anticipated on September 26, 2021 with courses being offered in sprint and olympic distances as well as a duathlon, aquabike and relay format. The race boasts an exciting and new type of triathlon racing that encourages athletes to “Forget pavement, Tri to Get Dirty!”
Triathlon is a successful and growing sport in West Michigan. Race directors John Mosey and Jon Conkling of Tris4health, who also manage two top-tier triathlons in West Michigan, Grand Rapids Triathlon and Michigan Titanium, introduced the idea of a gravel triathlon after looking for ways to grow the sport in the area, yet offer a unique and challenging format for multisport enthusiasts.
“After such an unprecedented and difficult year for the community, we are looking forward to finally debuting and introducing this exciting new style of triathlon racing to West Michigan triathletes,” said John Mosey, race director of The Dirty Mitten. “Having to cancel the race this fall was the right decision in order to keep everyone safe and healthy, but we’ve been working hard to make this dream a reality and cannot wait to bring the best of both the gravel cycling and triathlon worlds together in 2021.”
Having the race in September is also a unique aspect of the event for the West Michigan racing community. Debuting in late fall of 2021 allows for endurance athletes to enjoy the event as a means to an end of a season, or a reprieve from grueling training schedules that center around 140.6 Full-Distance races. The Dirty Mitten aims to have athletes smiling out on the course as they splash through puddles or stomp through the mud.
Registration for The Dirty Mitten will open Monday, December 14th, 2020.
For more information on the event please visit thedirtymitten.com.
