IM ABLE Foundation's Got the Nerve? Triathlon

Got the Nerve? Triathlon -  New Date & New Location!

Sunday, June 22, 2025  |  Ephrata, PA

IM ABLE has been hard at work ensuring that the Got the Nerve? Triathlon aligns with our mission— removing obstacles that prevent people with disabilities from being physically active by providing grants and fitness opportunities.

As part of this commitment, we’ve made the difficult but necessary decision to move the race from Mt. Gretna to Ephrata, PA. We are incredibly grateful to the Mt. Gretna community for supporting this event for the past 20 years, helping us build a legacy of competition, camaraderie, and achievement for athletes of all abilities.

After extensive scouting and careful consideration, we have identified Ephrata, PA as the ideal location to better serve our growing community of adaptive athletes.

Why the Change?

While Mt. Gretna’s scenic beauty and charm have made it a beloved race venue, its mountainous terrain has posed significant barriers for adaptive athletes—especially those who rely on handcycles. The steep hills surrounding the venue, while demanding for any athlete, have proven nearly insurmountable for many adaptive participants.

Additionally, as an official race in the USAT ParaDevelopment Series, we recognize that the distance and incline from the swim to the bike transition area—which often required adaptive athletes to be carried—does not align with our commitment to removing barriers.

Why Ephrata?

To make the Got the Nerve? Triathlon more inclusive and welcoming for adaptive athletes, we searched for a venue that would meet key criteria:

Bike Course
✅ A reasonably flat course with elevation changes under 4%—making it accessible for athletes using handcycles.
✅ A fully paved route, as required by the USAT ParaDevelopment Series.
✅ Rural surroundings with minimal traffic for a safer, more enjoyable ride.

Swim Course
✅ Selection of an outdoor pool that is beginner-friendly and ideal for adaptive swimmers.
✅ An accessible ramp to make water entry and exit easier for athletes with disabilities.
✅ Greater scheduling flexibility with more available race dates.

Run Course
✅ The Ephrata-Lititz Rail Trail—a fully paved, safe, and scenic route perfect for all runners.

The Ephrata Community
Beyond the race itself, Ephrata offers:
🏨 Lodging & dining options for traveling athletes.
🎖️ A strong connection to military veterans, with local organizations like the American Legion, AmVets, and VFW.
🏅 A historic race experience, as runners will pass the Dick Winters Memorial, honoring the WWII hero.
🏊‍♂️ A premier training facility, thanks to the Ephrata Area Recreation Center, which provides excellent swimming resources.

Races & Distances

• Triathlon
  • Sprint – Swim: 300 yds | Bike: 11 miles | Run: 5K
  • Super Sprint* – Swim 150 yds | Bike: 5 miles | Run 1 mile
  • Sprint Relay – Swim: 300 yds | Bike: 11 miles | Run: 5K
• Duathlon
  • Sprint – Run 1 mile | Bike 11 miles | Run 5K
  • Super Sprint* – Run .5 mile | Bike 5 miles | Run 1 mile
• Aquabike
  • Sprint – Swim 300 yds | Bike 11 miles 
• Youth Splash & Dash
  • Swim 100 yds | Run 1 mile

*Distances are estimated.

What's Included?

Registration fee includes post-race breakfast & t-shirt!

Teams

Want to race with friends? We have 2 options: 

• Sprint Triathlon Relay Teams (competitive) -
  • Relay teams are for 2 or 3 individuals who want to compete in the sprint triathlon. 
  • Awards will be given for 1st place teams in male, female, co-ed, and adaptive divisions.
    • Adaptive teams must include at least 1 adaptive athlete. 
• Social Teams (non-competitive) - 
  • This option is for groups of 3 or more who want to create a "team" with friends, family, co-workers, etc. 
  • Social teams of 5 or more get $5 discount off each race registration! Maximum of 15 people per team.
  • Team participants can choose whichever race they want.
  • This is a great way to fundraise! 

Adaptive Athletes

• Thanks to the generous support of IM ABLE donors, adaptive athletes race for free!
• There are 2 race divisions for individuals with disabilities:
  • Paratriathlete:
    • The paratriathlete classification process determines who is eligible to compete in a Paralympic sport and it groups the eligible athletes in sport classes according to their activity limitation in a certain sport.
    • These categories are for athletes that have a physical disability and wish to be eligible in a Paralympic sport. Select the link above for more  the classifications.

• • Adaptive:
    • For athletes that are not able to be classified into Paratriathlon competition categories or choose not to do so.
    • It is also open to athletes who choose not to race according to USA Triathlon or World Triathlon Paratriathlon rules, for example by choosing different equipment or racing with a guide of a different gender. Select the link above for more information about the adaptive categories. 

• Need a Guide for the Got the Nerve? Triathlon?

  • We've Got You Covered! We have a dedicated volunteer, Andrew Langston, from York, PA, excited to assist and guide an adaptive athlete. With a passion for offering personalized support, they’re committed to ensuring a positive and tailored experience. If you’re interested in connecting and taking advantage of this opportunity, please reach out to ashley@imablefoundation.org!

We appreciate your understanding and support as we take this important step to expand access, increase participation, and create an even better experience for all athletes. We can’t wait to see you in Ephrata!
 

Questions? 

• For general event questions, contact Becky Rennix at becky@imablefoundation.org. 
• For registration help, contact TCR Event Management at jason@tcreventmanagement.com.