Sylvan Beach triathlon set for June 14

The Sylvan Beach Triathlon/Duathlon takes off on June 14, pushing the limits of human endurance.

Now in its seventh year, the race begins with an open water swim with a real beach start. When the gun goes off, racers run into the water and swim 500 meters in the adjacent waters.

The paved roads in La Porte provide for a fast, relatively flat bike ride with just a few uphill climbs, and then it’s on to the run along the partly shaded streets in the neighborhood adjacent to Sylvan Beach Park.

The adult race on June 14 includes a sprint triathlon, 500-meter swim, 15-mile bike ride and a 3 mile run.

There’s also a triathlon team challenge where local area triathlon teams can compete as a team for a prize purse of over $1,000.

The day before the race, there will be a kids’ triathlon for ages 6-15 years old to test their swimming, biking and running skills.

The open water swim will be in a protected section of Sylvan Beach Park, shallow enough for most kids to touch the ground.

It will be lined with noodles, and race volunteers and lifeguards will be assisting on kayaks.

The bike course will be on a protected loop within Sylvan Beach Park, and the kids will run on the boardwalk.

This is a spectatorfriendly course that allows the kids to experience a real beach triathlon. All finishers will get a medal, and age group awards will be given to both girls and boys in the following age groups: 6-8; 9-10; 11- 13, and 13-15.

After last year’s success, organizers are bringing back the kids’ triathlon training camp at Little Cedar Bayou Park on June 10-12.

Under the instruction of USAT certified coaches, campers will learn how to swim, bike and run.

They’ll also learn the rules of racing and how to be safe on the race course.

Kids will learn the skills that they need to safely train and race for the rest of their lives.

For more information, contact Lisa Tilton at lisa_tm66@yahoo.com, or call Jaree Hefner at 832985-9151.