Lake Placid, adirondacks usa – The inaugural Ironman 70.3 race in Lake Placid is only weeks away, but officials have announced that volunteer opportunities are still available, including those for local nonprofit charities to qualify for Ironman Foundation grants. The Ironman 70.3 event will take place on September 10, 2017, with athletes traversing one lap of the swim, bike and run course, instead of the two laps required in the full Ironman Lake Placid held each July. The race will take place between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. “This race is a terrific opportunity for volunteers to both raise money for their favorite charity, and to contribute to the success of this first-time event,” said Sue Cameron, Ironman volunteer director and events manager for the Lake Placid-based Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism. “Volunteering for an Ironman race can be life changing for many. It is both inspiring as well as an opportunity to help the community, the athletes and meet great new friends. On top of all that, it’s a really fun way to spend all or part of the day. Who knows? You may be inspired enough to take the plunge and race yourself next year." Just like the full-distance race, the Ironman 70.3 depends upon a large pool of volunteers. And though it represents a shorter time commitment than the longer race in July, the 70.3 also offers grant funding for volunteer groups that support the event. Each year, the Ironman Foundation accepts grant applications from nonprofit groups with a volunteerism component from all of their U.S. race communities. Since 2003, the Foundation has supported a variety of Adirondack community efforts at various levels, such as awarding a grant to purchase an off-road ATV for the Lake Placid Volunteer Fire Department, and refurbishing the tennis courts in Lake Placid. The Foundation has also funded the Uihlein Ironman Sports Fund with more than $125,000 to distribute locally. Typically, nonprofit groups select one volunteer ‘station’ for their group to manage or to provide a contingent of volunteers for during the race. Cameron notes that there are still some fun volunteer assignments available this year for both individuals and groups. “Charities do not necessarily have to have 501c3 status,” added Cameron. “We welcome new volunteer groups of 20 or more people to raise funds for their cause, whether it is a boy or girl scout troop, a college club, or raising funds to cover travel expenses for a high school sports team, to name just a few. There are many other organizations that could qualify for grant funds. If you give us a call, we can let you know if your group would qualify.” The Ironman Foundation was established in 2003 as a way to leave a legacy behind in communities where Ironman events take place. Since its inception, the Ironman Foundation has given over $1.5 million to support community funds in the Lake Placid region, and grant applications are welcome from qualified organizations from throughout the Northeast. Groups interested in applying for Ironman Foundation grants should contact Sue Cameron at sue@roostadk.com for more information. Individuals interested in volunteering for this year’s Ironman 70.3 can sign up for available positions online at: http://bit.ly/IMLP70_3. ### Media contact: Kim Rielly, director of communications Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism

Lake Placid, adirondacks, usa - As part of an effort to enhance Lake Placid's beautification efforts during the busy summer and fall, Lake Placid Mayor Craig Randall met with the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) staff last week to create and fill a new position of Lake Placid Ambassador. The new employee works mornings from 6 a.m. - 11 a.m., sweeping and cleaning up trash and debris from sidewalks, bushes, and under benches. The route begins at The Cottage Cafe on Main Street and encompasses the business district, including Main Street, Saranac Avenue, Mirror Lake Drive, etc, as needed. “Although the village regularly performs trash removal and sweeping, we felt there needed to be more attention paid to our streets during our high-volume season,” said ROOST’s Lake Placid/Whiteface Regional Marketing Manager Catherine Ericson. “Visitors and residents alike are out early, walking around Mirror Lake and getting coffee and breakfast. We want them to be awed by our beautiful mountain and lake views, our quaint shops and restaurants, and be impressed by our cleanliness.” “This new employee performs a more detailed and concentrated cleaning in the high-traffic areas of the village,” said Mayor Randall. “But residents should remember that he is only one person, and that we can all help make a difference by picking up any trash we see. I know that the extra attention to our prized business corridor will reflect and foster an even greater sense of pride for residents, and ensure that we make a positive impression on our guests.” This new employee will work five days a week, through the busy season, and possibly longer, as needed. The position is paid jointly by ROOST and the village. ### Patrick Lilly, the new Lake Placid Ambassador

Save the Date! What: Wilmington Mountain Bike Festival When: Sept 1-3, 2017 Guided rides, on-site camping, live music, local food and beer, shuttles - all on 25 plus miles of beautiful Adirondack single track. Wilmington is the hub of a larger regional trail network that boast 50 miles of locally-built and rider-maintained single track. Click HERE for more information or to register.

August 10, 2017 - For each season, ROOST promotes a quarterly contest in each of its eight regions. It features a prize package combination of lodging, events, and dining. These contests are promoted on the ROOST-managed social media channels and in our weekly Adirondacks, USA newsletter that is sent to over 160,000 subscribers. It offers a unique opportunity to gain exposure to the people that receive our marketing. Below is the number of total unique website visitors on our sites that entered to win the Spring (2/1-4/30) and Summer (5/1-7/31) contests. If you are interested in taking part in a contest, contact ROOST's Marketing and Media Buyer Brooke O'Neil. *Schroon Lake's year over year drop in unique users can be attributed to the high marketability of its 2016 summer contest.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Lake Placid, adirondacks usa – The inaugural Ironman 70.3 Lake Placid triathlon will take place on Sept. 10 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with athletes traversing one lap of the swim, bike and run course, instead of the two laps required in the full Ironman Lake Placid held each July. ​Temporary road closures will begin at 5 a.m. The following are all estimated times based on New York State Police traffic control. Please use caution and expect delays. Road closures (Rt 86) northbound in to Lake Placid from Wilmington begin at 7 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Rt 86 westbound from Jay to Wilmington will close from 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. Rt 9N will close northbound from Keene to Jay at 6 a.m until 2 p.m. Rt 9N will close in both directions between Jay and Ausable from 6 a.m. - 2 p.m. Road closures (Rt 73) south/eastbound from Lake Placid to Keene begin at 5 a.m. until 11 a.m. Alternate Routes LAKE PLACID TO JAY From Saranac Avenue/Route 86, go left at Main Street at the High Peaks Resort to Mirror Lake Drive. Left on Northwood Road. Left on Cobble Hill Road. Left on Route 86 to Wilmington. Right on Route 86 to Jay. Expect delays in the Village of Lake Placid, in Wilmington, and in Jay from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. AUSABLE FORKS TO WILMINGTON North on Main Street at Stewart’s to stop sign. Left on Guideboard Road. Bear left at fork to Silver Lake Road. Left on Bonnieview Road to Wilmington. Expect delays at intersection in Wilmington. AUSABLE FORKS TO SARANAC LAKE/LAKE PLACID North on Main Street at Stewart’s to stop sign. Left on Guideboard Road. Bear left at fork to Silver Lake Road. Left on Union Falls Road to Route 3. Left on Route 3 to Saranac Lake. In Saranac Lake take Route 86 East to Lake Placid. AUSABLE FORKS TO KEENE Route 86 West, crossing Jersey Bridge to Sheldrake Road. Right on North Jay Road. (County Route 64). Left on Valley Road (County Route 58). Right on Trumbulls Corner Road. Left on Route 9N South to Keene. Expect delays in Ausable Forks and at Route 9N intersection. SARANAC LAKE TO I-87 SOUTHBOUND Route 3 West to Tupper Lake. Route 30 South to Long Lake. Route 28N to Newcomb. Route 2 East to Exit 29 on Route I-87 or Route 28N to Warrensburg. POINTS SOUTH ON ROUTE I-87 TO LAKE PLACID From Northbound Route I-87 take exit 29 to Route 2 West to Route 28N. Turn right on Route 28N to Newcomb. Route 28N to Long Lake. Right on Route 30 to Tupper Lake. Right on Route 3 East to Saranac Lake. Take exit 30 towards Keene. Follow route 9N to Rt 73. Expect delays at Keene. POINTS NORTH ON ROUTE I-87 TO LAKE PLACID From Southbound on Route I-87 take exit 31 to Route 9N North. Route 9N North to Elizabethtown. Route 9N North to Route 73. Right on Route 73 to Keene. Expect delays at the intersection in Keene. KEENE TO LAKE PLACID Route 73 Westbound lane open. Expect Delays at River Road/Ski Jumps intersection. Access Village of Lake Placid via Old Military Road. LAKE PLACID TO WILMINGTON/AUSABLE FORKS/I-87 NORTHBOUND From Saranac Avenue/Route 86, go left at Main Street at the High Peaks Resort to Mirror Lake Drive. Left on Northwood Road. Left on Cobble Hill Road. Left on Route 86 to Wilmington. Straight through intersection on Bonnieview Road (County Route 19). Right on Silver Lake Road and follow detour arrows to Ausable Forks. Expect delays in the Village of Lake Placid and in Wilmington from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A full event schedule is available here. ###