Triathlon Attracts Athletes From 10-Plus States
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
WINONA LAKE - If running, biking or swimming are among your favorite activities, then the eighth annual Optimist City of Lakes Triathalon might be for you.
The event is scheduled to start in the Winona Lake Park at 8 a.m. Saturday and consists of a 1/4-mile swim in Winona Lake, a 13.5-mile bike ride to Pierceton and back, and a 3-mile run.
"We usually draw people from 10 to 14 different states," Phil Eherenman said. "I put it in the calendar of four different sports or triathalon publications. It's grown every year since we started in 1994 with 220. It's grown, but it's kind of leveled off the last couple years."
Eherenman said he expects there to be 300-plus competitors in this year's event.
Competitors will be put into male and female divisions, and then split into age groups starting at 15 and then moved into five-year increments. Eherenman noted age groups have reached 70-plus years old.
Competitors can compete individually or on teams of two or three.
A special division set up for men called Clydesdale is for competitors over 200 pounds, while women can compete in the Athena division, set up for those over 145 pounds.
This particular triathalon is part of the Hoosier Series, consisting of this event as well as those in Logansport and Fort Wayne.
"There will be a lot of fine competitors that have been here several times," Eherenman said. "There will also be a lot of first-time competitors. Because this is described as a sprint race, a number of people will try it for the first time."
Cost for the triathalon is $35 for those who are members of the United States Association of Triathletes. Cost for non-members is $42.
Registration for the event will take place from 6-8 p.m. today and from 6-7:30 a.m. Saturday at Winona Lake Park.
Competitors will receive a packet that includes a T-shirt, meal ticket, swimming cap, pancake shake and sample of Gu product.
Eherenman also said that over 100 volunteers will be needed. Those interested in volunteering should be at the Winona Lake tennis courts by 7:15 a.m. Saturday. [[In-content Ad]]
WINONA LAKE - If running, biking or swimming are among your favorite activities, then the eighth annual Optimist City of Lakes Triathalon might be for you.
The event is scheduled to start in the Winona Lake Park at 8 a.m. Saturday and consists of a 1/4-mile swim in Winona Lake, a 13.5-mile bike ride to Pierceton and back, and a 3-mile run.
"We usually draw people from 10 to 14 different states," Phil Eherenman said. "I put it in the calendar of four different sports or triathalon publications. It's grown every year since we started in 1994 with 220. It's grown, but it's kind of leveled off the last couple years."
Eherenman said he expects there to be 300-plus competitors in this year's event.
Competitors will be put into male and female divisions, and then split into age groups starting at 15 and then moved into five-year increments. Eherenman noted age groups have reached 70-plus years old.
Competitors can compete individually or on teams of two or three.
A special division set up for men called Clydesdale is for competitors over 200 pounds, while women can compete in the Athena division, set up for those over 145 pounds.
This particular triathalon is part of the Hoosier Series, consisting of this event as well as those in Logansport and Fort Wayne.
"There will be a lot of fine competitors that have been here several times," Eherenman said. "There will also be a lot of first-time competitors. Because this is described as a sprint race, a number of people will try it for the first time."
Cost for the triathalon is $35 for those who are members of the United States Association of Triathletes. Cost for non-members is $42.
Registration for the event will take place from 6-8 p.m. today and from 6-7:30 a.m. Saturday at Winona Lake Park.
Competitors will receive a packet that includes a T-shirt, meal ticket, swimming cap, pancake shake and sample of Gu product.
Eherenman also said that over 100 volunteers will be needed. Those interested in volunteering should be at the Winona Lake tennis courts by 7:15 a.m. Saturday. [[In-content Ad]]