Athletes gear up for Whitefish Lake Triathlon this weekend

by Whitefish Pilot
| July 18, 2017 4:37 PM

This year’s Whitefish Lake Triathlon will be held on Sunday, July 23.

Competitors will meet at City Beach at 9 a.m.

The sprint distance race, the shortest distance for triathlons, is open to whoever is up for the challenge, said Stan Watkins of the Kalispell Athletic Club.

The triathlon consists of a half mile swim, a 20 kilometer bike ride and a 5 kilometer run. After crossing the finish line, participants will be treated to pizza and beer after receiving trophies, medals and more than $1,000 in prizes. The cost to register is $63 for individuals and $180 for teams.

Contestants will start with the point-to-point swim, going from the right side of City Beach out to a buoy and back. The biking portion begins behind the beach parking lot and follows Wisconsin Avenue to Hellroaring Creek and back. Finally, runners will race through city streets to The Lodge at Whitefish Lake and back.

Participants can race as individuals or as part of a team, with separate award categories for each. Age divisions include 18 and under, 19 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59, and 60 years and older. Teams are divided into men, women and mixed. The top three finishers in each division will receive medals. Ribbons will be awarded to winners in the team categories.

A “Lil Guy” race for ages up to 6 and 6 through 14 years old will immediately follow the adult race and is free to enter.

There will be a pre-race meeting at 6 p.m. on Saturday at City Beach. The race starts at 9 a.m. Sunday at City Beach.

To register, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/MT/Whitefish/WhitefishLakeTriathlon or call Watkins for more information at 253-4103.