Mightymite participants to run altered course for second year

Last year's Mightymite Triathlon, the 37th edition of the annual race, happened a little later than in past year's in August to be exact, rather than the midJuly date that has traditionally been used.

That July date is back on the racing calendar this year. The 38th Mightymite will be held Saturday, July 17 and registration for the three-stage race is now open.

Still hovering under Covid 19 guidelines and protocol, the race will limit this year's field to 150 participants, up from 75 a year ago.

As of today, the Mightymite participant list has reached 65, leaving just over 80 spots remaining.

The three stage race, a 1/3 mile swim - 13 mile bike - and a 3 mile run, will once again begin at Lake Dunn at Village Creek State Park and make its way to East Arkansas Community College (EACH) where, for the second straight year, it will end, rather than continuing on to the Campbell House at the corner of Forrest and Dillard Streets in Forrest City, the former finishing point.

Runners will run through a portion of the college to a left hand turn onto Highway 284/Newcastle Rd. in an "out and back" course on Highway 284/Newcastle Road which takes the runners back to the finish line on the college campus

Before moving the

Mightymite finishing point to the Campbell House, the race originally ended at Sam Smith Stadium and one year at the Forrest City Civic Center.

Daniel Shaffer, with Stratifying events until leaving for other opportunities, said rescheduling last year's Mightymite was much tougher than the course the participants will face each year.

"We were concerned about having to cancel the Mightymite all together last year. Once you cancel an annual event, it's very difficult to restart that event. And we didn't want that to happen with the Mightymite," Shaffer added.

Race restrictions require all event staff/volunteers/spectators are to wear masks, although spectators will be discouraged unless accompanying a minor or serving as a driver for a participant.

Each participant is required to wear a facemark at check-in and while at any of the venue areas.

Face masks will be provided by the management team to anyone not in a mask. Anyone refusing to wear a mask will be asked to leave the premises.

Hand shaking, fist bumps, and hugging are highly discouraged.

All participants/staff/volunteers are reminded to use respiratory etiquette including covering up to cough and sneezing.

Everyone in attendance is asked to maintain the six foot social distance at all times while at the event.

Absent from last year's Mightymite was Jeff Fejfar, the overall male winner for the last nine consecutive years.

Fejfar, through a text message, said he missed out on registering for the race, before it sold out its limited roster this year.

Fejfar won his first Mightymite title in 2011, the first of his nine consecutive race wins.

Phillip Young won the 2020 overall men's title, while Lesley Brainard won her eighth overall Mightymite title.

Brainard won her first Mightymite title in 2000 went on to win the race in 2002, 2004, 2010, 2015 and the last two.

Lake Dunn is the location of the swim course and the start of the 16.4 mile Mightymite triathlon.

The looped swim course begins and finishes from the boat ramps at the swim/bike transition. After exiting the swim portion of the race, swimmers will begin the 13-mile bike leg which will end at EACC. The final three-mile run will be an out and back leg beginning at EACC and ending at EACC.

The out and back run course finish line will be located at the EACC south parking lot. Once the runners cross the finish line they will make their way back to the parking lot to collect your bike and belongings.

As in past years, the race will once again be dotted with a handful of Forrest City participants.