Pangorge race highlights Tennessee River Gorge

photo Tennessee River

One couple's love of Chattanooga's outdoor beauty has inspired the newest in a long list endurance races.

Andy and Susanna Dodson have put together the inaugural Pangorge Adventure Race, to be held Saturday morning starting and finishing at Tennessee RiverPlace in Lookout Valley.

"They just love all the outdoor activities," Holly Fussell said of her sister and brother-in-law. "Susanna and Andy have ridden their bikes from here down to Florida and all through Mexico. They're always out on the water paddling and rafting.

"They kind of wanted to combine love of nature and their love of these activities."

The Pangorge race is a different take on a triathlon, with more than 100 racers expected to compete over 40 miles of trail running, paddling and mountain biking.

The race will start at 8 a.m. with a seven-mile paddle on the Tennessee River followed by a 3 1/2-mile run on the Pot Point Nature Trail and another four mile of paddling before ending the race with 20 miles of mountain biking up and over Raccoon Mountain and back to the finish at Tennessee Riverplace.

Fussell said she and her family want to put the focus on the beauty of the Tennessee River Gorge, and proceeds from the race will benefit the Tennessee River Gorge Trust.

"They're really into making sure that people are taking advantage of the natural beauty and natural resources here while being protective," Fussell said of her family members. "So they decided to create this race and showcase the Tennessee River Gorge, which is kind of underutilized."

More information on the race can be fount at www.pangorge.com. The Dotsons and Fussell hope spectators come out to Tennessee RiverPlace to watch the action and learn more about the beauty of the Tennessee River Gorge.

"We've got more than 100 people coming in on Saturday, so it's going to be a big day in the Gorge," Fussell said. "And it's all to benefit the Tennessee River Gorge Trust."

Contact Jim Tanner at jtanner@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6478. Follow him at twitter.com/JFTanner.

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