Mightymite back to normal for Saturday’s race – almost

For the most part, Saturday's 38th annual Mightymite Triathlon is almost back to normal following last year, which saw Covid restrictions inject protocol changes to the threestage race.

Last year the race, usually run in mid-July, was first cancelled completely, then restored and tweaked to follow those guidelines and finally able to run in August.

This time around, the race is almost back to complete normalcy, according to Adam Shelton, who has taken over as the Start2Finish Events race coordinator reigns from Daniel Shaffer.

A year ago, the race was limited to 75 participants and was run using an altered course which ended at East Arkansas Community College rather than at the Campbell House. EACC has been the longstanding, second stage point where the racers transition from the bike ride to the final run leg.

Last year the course remained as the place where the bikes were racked, but also served as the out and back finishing point for the racers.

"That was put in place to reduce our need for the shuttle buses which we have used in the past to take the finishers back to the college to retrieve their bikes and their cars," Shelton said. "That was one of the major concerns last year, especially with Covid, by putting everyone on the bus, how many buses we would need. Hopefully Saturday will be the last time we have to do that. We hope to be able to return the finish line back to the Campbell House for next year's race. Unless we get a lot of feedback from the participants "who like this altered course better."

Shelton said that could be a possibility.

"If I were a racer, being able to finish where my car is parked, there is an attraction to that idea. I'm not sure but there could be something to that," Shelton added. "For several years, the race has finished at the Campbell House and before that during the mid to late 90s, the race ended at Sam Smith Stadium. It's always finished in town. We will probably send out a survey to the race participants at the end of this season and see what they think about keeping the finish line at the Campbell House or at EACC and then make our decision for the 2022 Mightymite."

Regarding this year's schedule of races, Shelton said it has been pared down. Last year there were just two events run under the Start2Finish banner and that number will stay the same for this summer.

This year's race was opened to 150 participants. As of Thursday, that list stood at 123.

"We're not sure if we will get to the 150 limit this time," Shelton said. "I'm hopeful, but registration has slowed down."

As it has each year, the Mightymite will begin at 8 a.m. at Lake Dunn at Village Creek State Park when the participants enter the water for the swim.