Valparaiso Triathlon Hits 10th Year

The Valparaiso Triathlon at Rogers Lakewood Park had a spectacular turnout for its 10th year. Nearly 400 people participated in the ¼ mile swimming, 12.4 mile biking, and 3.2 mile running competition. Family, friends and other avid fans of the race followed their heroes throughout the course and energetically cheered them on.

Prior to the race beginning, participants were numbered by a group of volunteers. After their markings were finished, the contestants corralled their bikes onto predetermined racks and began their pre-event stretching.

About ten “waves” were created to provide safety on the course for competitors; each group wave had a head start of roughly seven minutes. This helped out greatly because everyone had their own amount of space to actively participate. YMCA lifeguards were in attendance as the swimming portion of the race began. Through the “V” shaped ¼ mile of treading water, they provided assistance for those who needed any kind of help.

Going from the water to the land, opponents raced to their bikes. After drying off, lacing shoes up and putting their racing gear on, the friendly rivals ran their cycles to the starting point and eagerly hopped on. A nice hill met them not even ten seconds from takeoff. They looped around the park, out of the entrance and through a residential area nearby.

As they came back into Lakewood, competitors took the same path back to where their bikes were held and then started their 3.2 miles of running. Volunteers provided water for the runners as they rounded the first bend of the course. The path twisted through the park, out to a residential sidewalk, and then snaked back to the finish line. A variety of food provided by supporters of the race and an award ceremony followed the event’s completion.

The Valpo Parks Department and YMCA’s annual engagement had tons of smiles and nothing but blue skies overhead. A huge thank you goes out to all of the volunteers involved who assisted the event out of the goodness of their hearts. If you missed all the festivities this year, then make sure to come out to the Valparaiso Triathlon as a participant or bystander in the future!

Click here for a full photo gallery from the 2012 Triathlon!!!