TRI- the- Village triathlon set to run Saturday

HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE – TRI- the- Village, Hot Springs Village’s first sprint triathlon, is set for Saturday.

The event will include a 500yard swim at Balboa Lake, a 13.5mile cycle ride and 3.5- mile run on Magellan Golf Course cart path. It ends at Balboa Pavilion.

The race will begin at 7 a. m. Participants should arrive between 5: 45- 6: 15 a. m. Participants only should park at Balboa Beach. Cheerleaders, sponsors, Villagers and volunteers are asked to park at Magellan Golf Course. The race will conclude at Balboa Pavilion and will include an after party, from 10: 30 a. m. to noon.

Teen Challenge of Arkansas is the TRI- the- Village charity. Training maps are available at the Hot Springs Village Chamber of Commerce. Visit http:// www. Escape2HSV. com for more information.

Sponsors for TRI- the- Village include Mountain Valley Spring Water, Vacation Rentals Inc., Balboa Marina, Breedlove’s Custom Awards, Fayettechill, Newk’s Express Cafe, National Park Community College, Central Arkansas Woodturners and National Park Medical Center.

Several areas of Hot Springs Village will be closed for the race.

Balboa Pavilion will be closed from 3 p. m. today to 2 p. m. Saturday. Balboa boat ramp will also be closed, and boats will not be allowed in the 500- yard triathlon sectioned- off area, from 6: 30- 10: 30 a. m. There will be lifeguards and safety patrols in the triathlon area. “Please avoid this area during the race time,” a news release said.

Portions of the following streets and intersections may be affected for a 10- to 15- minute time frame during the biking portion of the race, from 7: 30- 10: 30 a. m.: road stations staffed by volunteers, including Ponce and cart path, Ponce and Magellan golf course entrance, Ponce and Magellan Drive, Ponce and Promesa Drive, Ponce and DeSoto, Ponce and golf cart path, Ponce and Sergio, Ponce and Golf Course, Andora and Encantado, Andora and Ollette, Andora and Sacedon Lane, Sacedon Lane and Sacedon Way 1, Sacedon Lane and Sacedon Way 2, Sacedon Lane and Balboa, Balboa and Letpista Drive, Balboa and Letisa Drive, Balboa and Jubileo Way, Balboa and Balearic, Balearic and golf cart path, Balearic and Pineretero Way 2, Balearic and Pineretero Way 1, Balearic and Balboa, Balboa Drive and Balboa Way, Balboa and Pinocha Drive, Balearic and Lavantrino Drive, Balearic and Zapato Way, Balearic and Ponce, Ponce and Pavilion Drive 2, and Ponce and Pavilion Drive 1, and road stations manned by Public Safety, including Ponce and DeSoto, Sacedon Lane and Balboa, Balboa and Balearic, Balearic and Ponce, Ponce and Pavilion Drive 1, and Ponce and DeSoto.

Portions of Ponce de Leon Drive and Magellan Drive may be affected for a 10- to 15- minute time frame during the run portion of the race.

Triathlon participants will be on the right side of the road and volunteers and police will be stationed along the race route to help direct all traffic to ensure everyone’s safety.

Residents near the Magellan golf course need to be aware that traffic may be slow in that area. In addition, golfers with tee times at Coronado, Balboa and Ponce golf courses from 7: 30- 10: 30 a. m. Saturday should allow extra time to arrive at the course.

Call 922- 2858 for more information.