News Release 12-051
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
1111 Israel Road S.W., P.O. Box 42650, Olympia, WA 98504-2650, (360) 902-8500
Don Hoch, Director
Media contact:
Jack Hartt, (360) 675-3767 Jack.Hartt@parks.wa.gov
Hilary Schult, (360) 902-8604 Hilary.Schult@parks.wa.gov
Wash. Telecommunications Relay Service: (800) 833-6388
Discover health and fitness at Deception Pass State Park
OLYMPIA –
May 23, 2012 –
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and the Deception Pass Park Foundation invite the public to the first Discover Health and Fitness – Deception Pass Challenge – a Centennial 2013 event at Deception Pass State Park on Whidbey Island.
The event begins at 8 a.m. June 16 at Deception Pass State Park, 41020 State Route 20 in Oak Harbor. Participants may challenge their personal fitness through a triathlon of recreational tests. The race begins at the west beach with an 800-meter swim through Cranberry Lake, and then switches to a 12-mile bike ride out to Hoypus Hill and back. The course continues as a four-mile foot race up and down Goose Rock, finishing at the west beach. The Discover Pass is required to attend this event.
The event is open to individuals or teams of three. Space is limited to the first 100 registrants. A registration fee of $50 per individual or $100 per team is required for participation. Registration fees include a free event t-shirt. Prizes will be awarded to top finishers. To register or a course map, visit www.deceptionpassfoundation.org.
Discover Health and Fitness – Deception Pass Challenge is one of many Centennial 2013 events leading up to the park system’s 100th birthday in 2013. Events include park fun days, tours, demonstrations, cultural, music and arts events, interpretive activities, recreation days and more. Upcoming events include Discover Riverside, an open house-style park fun day at Riverside State Park on June 24. For information about State Parks events in this 100th celebration year, visit www.parks.wa.gov/events and watch for reminders on State Parks social media.
The event is sponsored by the Deception Pass Park Foundation. The foundation is a not for profit organization dedicated to the support of education, interpretation and resource protection at Deception Pass State Park. Led by a volunteer board of directors, the foundation raises funds and in-kind donations to support the park through project assistance, direct donations and events such as the Discover Health and Fitness – Deception Pass Challenge. The foundation plans to offer the challenge as an annual event. For more information, visit www.deceptionpassfoundation.org.
June is Washington State Great Outdoors Month. Enjoy Washington’s many recreational activities and celebrate the month dedicated to environmental stewardship and the appreciation of the outdoors. Many state parks will play host to a variety of events in June. For information about events at Washington state parks, visit www.parks.wa.gov/events.
Deception Pass State Park is a 4,134-acre marine and camping park with 77,000 feet of saltwater of shoreline, and 33,900 feet of freshwater shoreline on three lakes. The park is best known for views of Deception Pass and Bowman Bay, old-growth forests, abundant wildlife and the historic Deception Pass Bridge.
Stay connected to your state parks by following Washington State Parks at www.facebook.com/WashingtonStateParks, www.twitter.com/WaStatePks_NEWS and www.youtube.com/WashingtonStateParks.
The Commission manages a diverse system of more than 100 state parks and recreation programs, including long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation. The 99-year-old park system will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2013.
Support state parks by purchasing your Discover Pass today, and enjoy a whole year of outdoor fun on Washington’s beautiful state-managed recreation lands. For more information, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
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