More than 350 athletes will take part in the Urban Epic Triathlon today in Portland.

The triathlon, in its fourth year, takes place on a course that will go through downtown Portland and end at the Maine State Pier.

Beginning at East End Beach, the athletes will swim a half-mile point to point in Casco Bay, then run a half-mile to the main transition area at Portland Yacht Services on Fore Street, where they will begin a 13-mile bike ride that goes up to the Eastern Promenade and down to Baxter Boulevard for two loops before heading back to the transition area.

The athletes will complete the race with a 3.7-mile point-to-point run along the Eastern Promenade and finish at the Maine State Pier.

This year’s triathlon will include more than 220 participants from Maine, and will also include participants from 16 states. Athletes will take part in the triathlon either individually or as a part of relay teams, and the triathlon will include classifications for elite men and women and open men and women.

Kurt Perham of Brunswick was the top elite male finisher in the 2009 Urban Epic, two years after winning the inaugural race. Perham, 39, completed last year’s course in 1 hour, 12 minutes, 25 seconds.

Catherine Sterling of Kents Hill was the top elite female finisher, completing the course in 1:15:04.5.

Portland’s Rob Fast was the top finisher (1:16.10.7) in the men’s open division, while Cape Elizabeth’s Carrie McCusker (1:20.35.8) was the top women’s open division finisher.

 

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