Big changes coming to Y Sprint Triathlon

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Piscataquis Regional YMCA is hosting its annual Sprint Triathlon on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 8. But according to the Y, there will be quite a few changes to this year’s race.

The first difference is the race date itself, says Patrick M

yers, the Y’s race coordinator, “There are so many great races and events in July that is was getting difficult to find a date that didn’t cause conflicts, so we decided to move the race to August.” The Y hopes that this will encourage more people to take part in the race which has seen attendance dropping slightly over the past few years.

The Y is also making other changes to the event in hopes of attracting new participants. “Many people are interested in biking and running, but aren’t so excited about the swim portion of the Triathlon,” Myers said. “To bring them into the event we are not only shortening the swimming leg from .5 miles to .25 miles, but we are also going to offer a new Duathlon event that only includes the biking and running events.”   

The Triathlon will start with the .25-mile swim in Sebec Lake at the public beach, then both events will follow the same 12-mile bike route from the public beach to the Peaks-Kenny entrance and then into Dover-Foxcroft. The 5K run portion of both events will end at the PRYMCA.

Registration is now open for both events for both teams and individuals. Medals will be awarded for top finishers in separate age and gender divisions. Each racer will receive a T-shirt and goody bag and after the race there will be a celebration and awards ceremony at the Y as well as music and food for all participants and spectators.

Registration is open right up till the morning of the event, but Myers suggests people get registered before July 3 to take advantage of the early-bird discount. People can register at the Y or by visitingwww.prymca.org. Anyone wanting more information about the Triathlon can call the Y at 564-7111 or stop in at 48 Park Street.

The Piscataquis Regional YMCA is a cause-driven organization that is committed to the community and dedicated to promoting healthy spirit, mind, and body for all, through programs and services grounded in Christian heritage and the core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.