Ready, set, go for sixth annual Tri-Smore

Andrea Roberts
Times Intern

 

The sixth annual Tri-Smore Triathlon is only a month away and race organizers are looking forward to hosting the event in Strathmore once again while continuing to increase their volunteer base before the event. Sixty volunteers are needed, similar to last year, to help make the race run smoothly and have already received a response for half the volunteers needed.
“I know people who think, man I don’t think I could ever do a triathlon, but with this one we just have a really fun vibe and it is as competitive as you want it to be,” said
Tri-Smore Triathlon Race Director Niki Johnson.
“Some people are very competitive with it and that is great but some people are there because they just want to do it.”
The race has two categories for children – the two-bite s’more for eight year olds and younger, and the quarter distance for those 13 years old and younger. In keeping with past events, Tri-Smore will also feature a half marathon, full marathon and mega distance. The mega distance was introduced last year and is an Olympic distanced triathlon. Competitors can either take part on their own or as a team and will have to swim, cycle and run to the finish line.
Participants are expected to bring their own equipment, but the organizers have been known to provide children with bikes in the past who were lacking them.
“What we do at Tri-Smore is remove the barriers so that everybody can feel like they can come and participate,” she said.
In recent years, the race has broken the age and ability barriers, having a two-year-old competitor compete and a lady crossed the race of her bucket list for her 80th birthday. This year the race will show its multi-generational side, as one of the usual volunteers, Christine Nelson, will take part in the race with her family. Her 70-year-old father will do the swimming portion, she will cycle while her son will do the running. Nelson has been a volunteer for six years and her children have taken part in the race a few times before. This lead to her dad deciding he wanted to take part.
“I honestly doing something like that with my dad is pretty cool,” said Nelson.
“I think that will be pretty neat and Brody, my 11 year old, is pretty excited he gets to be on a team with grandpa, doesn’t really care that I am on the team but excited for grandpa.”
The race will take part on the June 25 in Strathmore starting with registration at 7 a.m. on race-day morning. The organizers will be accepting entries until June 20 although prices will go up after June 10. Volunteers are still required to help out with the event. The race is open to all ages and abilities and everyone is encouraged to give it a try. Anybody wishing to participate, either in the race or volunteering can register on the Tri-Smore website or call Niki Johnson at 403-480-1218.