Swim beneath a desert sky

Pyramid Lake is a quieter, flatter, humbler site for a triathlon than Lake Tahoe or other waterside spots in Northern California—not everyone salivates over the subtlety of the desert lake. Yet scores of Nevadans have come to love Pyramid for that very unpretentiousness. The Desert Lake Triathlon, held Oct. 13, is similarly low on pretension—race director Laura Thompson says that it’s an ideal race for athletes just entering the triathlon world—but high on spirited athleticism and food-driven fun. The race’s promoter, Tim Healion, who also organizes Reno’s Tour de Nez, has a tendency to devote almost equal attention to extracurricular activities (e.g., beer, music and grub) as he does to the competition itself, and this event is no exception. Both competitive and recreational athletes can compete in an International Distance race that includes a 15-kilometer swim, 40-kilometer bike race and a 10-kilomter run, or a less ambitious Sprint Distance race. After the event, all involved can enjoy the aforementioned “extracurriculars.” Race begins at 10 a.m.; visit www.bignosesports.com for more information.