
February 2018 – It’s the ultimate South Florida national parks challenge: the Tamiami Trail Triathlon, a full day of hiking, biking and paddling in two parks with a ranger to lead the way.
The day begins with a 3.5 mile canoe trip in Ten Thousand Islands in Everglades National Park. After a short drive, park “triathletes” hike 3 miles of Big Cypress prairie and pineland. Another short drive and participants saddle up for a 15-mile bike ride in Shark Valley.
The event is not a race, and there’s no fee for entry, but the ranger-guided program is only offered during the winter and spring seasons, and reservations are required.
Participants must bring their own bike for the Shark Valley leg of the triathlon, and provide their own transportation to each starting point.
The final two ranger-led triathlons this season are March 4 and March 25. To reserve space, call Everglades National Park at 239-695-3311 (reservations are accepted no more than 14 days in advance).
Or, if you like the idea of completing the triathlon but the single day sounds exhausting, remember, the triathlon is open to all, any time of year, and you can complete each leg on your own and at your own pace, over several days or weeks. Follow this link to learn more:
http://www.nps.gov/bicy/planyourvisit/tamiami-trail-triathlon.htm