The EMPIRE GRAVEL VIRTUAL is a cycling, gravel, and virtual event held on Sunday, June 28, 2026. It is located at 158 NY-52 in Carmel Hamlet, New York.
Sat, Jun 20, 2026 at 7:00 AM
Welcome! I’m your Race Director, Tom Wilkas. We are pleased to bring you both the original Pat Griskus Sprint Triathlon, which started in 1987, and the Olympic distance race, which was conceived in
Key folks include: Dave Heller, Robin Griskus, Laura Griskus, Marty Cashin, Mike Maximenko, Dave Kunces, Kim Tessier, Jeff Sheldon, Tom Hill, Jim O’Rourke, Chris Hibbs, Sandra Heller, Kristin Heller, Meghan Curley, Tim Cipriano, Tim Ruh, Karen Mcwhirt, Rob Scott, Eric Pattison and Others. Pat Griskus was an amazing guy and credited with paving the way for the many amputee athletes to follow.
Both races are USAT Sanctioned and are held at Quassy Amusement Park on Route 64 in Middlebury, CT. The Sprint distance starts with a half-mile swim in spring-fed Lake Quassapaug, enjoy the challenging 10.5 mile bike around the lake, and the out-and-back 3.1 mile run. There is a First Timers division for those tackling their first Triathlon ever, with medals for all first time finishers. With close to 100 first-timers each year, this race has become a favorite for first time triathletes!
The Olympic distance race features a clean and clear one mile lake swim in Lake Quassapaug, enjoy a 25 mile challenging one loop bike course through classic New England farm country, and a 6.2 mile run on shaded back roads.
14.1 Miles 25 Miles 31.2 Miles 32.2 Miles Duathlon Olympic Run Sprint Swim Triathlon
Sun, Jun 21, 2026 at 10:00 AM
49.3 km from Carmel HamletCycling Mountain Biking Trail
Sat, Jun 27, 2026 at 9:00 AM
49 km from Carmel HamletCycling
Sat, Jul 11, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Unique and beautiful setting at Hopkins Vineyard in the picturesque Northwest corner of Connecticut. Swim and bike around celebrated Lake Waramaug. Space is limited so don't hesitate to secure your
spot in what has been described by participants as the "most elegant triathlon in the Northeast"!
Sorry, no refunds, transfers or deferments, for any reason.
Event details and schedule
Course and event info here:
http://hopkinsvineyardtri.com/course-description
Race Day packet pickup starts at 6am, race start is 8am.
Triathlon
Sat, Jul 11, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Pedal for Pediatric Cancer
LivSports' first-ever 24-Hour BMX Lap-A-Thon is coming this Summer! This endurance cycling challenge invites riders from the BMX community and beyond to pedal their hearts
out for 24 straight hours. This event will support LivFree's mission to help families navigating pediatric cancer to create Moments of Joy when they’re needed most.
At LivSports, athletics isn’t just about competition. It’s about compassion, community, joy, and a platform for giving back. Events like this harness the energy of athletes to raise crucial funds and spread awareness for families facing pediatric cancer. When riders come together with a shared purpose, every pedal forward carries more than momentum; it carries hope!
Cycling