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We May Lose the Josh

By Patrick White

For nearly 50 years, the Josh Billings triathlon has been Berkshire County's preeminent annual athletic event, similar in stature locally to the Boston Marathon. It is the second oldest Triathlon in America. Traditionally, Stockbridge played a central role in this race. It is the only municipality that hosts at least a portion of all three legs of the race: bike, running, and paddling.

The race has a strong economic impact on Stockbridge merchants including the Red Lion Inn. With its proximity to Lenox, Tanglewood had an immense benefit to Lenox's merchants as well.

For over four decades, the race finished near Tanglewood, and the the organizers relied on the BSO to provide parking and to host the post-race party. A few years ago, the BSO declined to continue that arrangement. I worked with the Josh organizers and Camp Mah-Kee-Nac to move the after party and parking to the Camp.

Unfortunately, the event size is just too big for the Camp, which has a one-lane access road. Absent a reconsideration by the BSO, Stockbridge will no longer host the Josh Billings Runaground.

I've been trying to figure out how to keep the race in Stockbridge, so far without success. Fingers crossed, but sadly, this will be difficult to accomplish without the BSO.