The anchor event in a weekend of festivities and competition dubbed the Hickory Nut Gorge Olympiad, the 500m lake swim commences on a sandy beach, curves around a buoy and finishes right at the transition area, which is within 50 feet of the lake. The clear, mountain water is smooth as glass. The 25k bike course is challenging, but you will be rewarded with breathtaking views as it rolls through the countryside at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The 5k run is a steady but reasonable uphill that winds through a beautiful valley with a gentle downhill beach finish beside Lake Lure.