After months of torturous planning, organizers of the first officially sanctioned triathlon in the District announced today that the race is on. The Nation’s Triathlon, set for September 16, 2006, will take its 1,750 participants on a short 1 kilometer swim in the Potomac River, a 32 kilometer bike ride up Rock Creek Park and back, and an 8 kilometer run around the city’s monuments. Pre-registration is closed for the race, though organizers have said that slots may still open up.

A few weeks back I decided that this might be a fun challenge. I bike already, so why not add a short swim and a leisurely jog to the list? Well, I never thought they would get the permits they needed, and now I’m stuck with the prospect of actually throwing myself into the Potomac and getting kicked in the face for the better part of a kilometer. Should be fun.