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AMES CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAUSponsored by the Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau

Give Ames a Trihile many variations of the sport exist, triathlon, in its most popular form, involves swimming, cycling, and running in immediate succession over various distances. If competition isn’t up your alley, you can “tri” one or all three of the sports for pure recreation!

Ada Hayden Heritage Park, photo courtesy of Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau

Photo Courtesy of Iowa Tourism Office

Photo Courtesy of Furman Aquatic Center

SWIMDuring the warm weather months, Furman Aquatic Center is the place to cool down or swim some laps in the 50-meter lap pool. Just a quick drive east to Nevada, you can make a splash at the Fawcett Family Aquatic Center. 15 minutes from Ames, Hickory Grove Park in Colo is a popular place for swimming and many other outdoor activities. Prefer swimming indoors? Ames Municipal Pool, located at Ames High School, is an indoor 8 lane pool great for all ages for play or training. Ames Racquet & Fitness Center also offers day passes and has a 25-yard pool with four lap lanes.

BIKESkunk River Cycles is in the heart of downtown Ames and will get you ready to ride. Whether you need a bike repair, some snazzy padded bike shorts, or other biking accessories and apparel, you can find what you need for any biking skill or occasion. While downtown, pick up a Shared Use Path Map from City Hall to see all the bike paths throughout Ames.The High Trestle Trail in Madrid has become increasingly popular over the past several years. While the trail stretches 25 miles long and boasts the 13-story High Trestle Trail Bridge, it is easy to jump on and ride right outside of Ames. The High Trestle Trail Bridge has lights that are turned on from dusk to midnight during the spring-summer-fall biking season. Trailside Rentals in Madrid is steps away from the trail and offers daily rentals on regular, recumbent, trikes, tandems, kid’s and wheelchair bikes.

RUNRun, walk or bike on Ada Hayden Heritage Park’s 3.1-mile path or venture onto the upland trail for a view of the wetlands. Do you get discouraged during a workout by boring scenery? This is the perfect location to get some exercise and enjoy the views at the same time. Need a break? The park has a shelter area and benches that provide a great place to refuel, relax or enjoy the views.Ames has 36 parks and 55 miles of trails and hiking paths making it easy to pick one and run or create your own adventure. There are also several running clubs and organizations that host races throughout the year that are great training and/or fun-run opportunities. You will never “run” out of places to get your miles in!For a full list of things to DO, STAY, EAT, and SHOP visit ThinkAmes.com.