5th-annual event coming Sept. 27
By L.J. Gambone
Apple Valley Review
The race is on for athletes from the High Desert, and even those from out of the area, to participate in the town of Apple Valley’s 5th Annual Reverse Triathlon beginning at 5:30 a.m. on Sept. 27. The family-oriented event is set to kick off with a 5k run and will move on to a 12-mile flat road bicycle course. It will finish up with a 150-yard pool swim at Civic Center Park, 14999 Dale Evans Parkway.
Town recreation supervisor Joseph Ramos said he expects to see more than 400 participants at the triathlon from all over Southern California. The maximum number of athletes accepted is 450 and only those over the age of 18 can compete. There will, however, be a special triathlon for youngsters ages 5 through 11.
“In years past, about 50 to 60 percent of people that participated in the event were from areas outside the High Desert,” said Ramos. “I think part of the reason for that is that a lot of athletes want to compete on a different terrain and in a different climate. We have gotten lots of feedback about how beautiful the views are on the bicycle course roads.”
Ramos said the events in the reverse triathlon are in backwards order from a traditional triathlon.
“It’s usually swim, bike, run but ours will be run, bike, swim,” said Ramos. “The reason for that is because if we started it at the pool, we wouldn’t be able to accommodate all of the participants. So with having the swim be last, all of the athletes won’t get there at once.”
According to Ramos, the triathlon route will begin on Dale Evans Parkway at Civic Center Park. It will continue on to Corwin Road, Dakota Street and Navajo Road.
Every athlete who participates will receive a T-shirt and medal. The top three in each age group will receive award certificates and medals will be presented to the top three overall male and female finishers in the 5k event.
Race day registration will open at 5:30 a.m. and the triathlon and 5k check-in will open at 6 a.m. The 5k is scheduled to start at 7 a.m.
Check-in for the kids’ triathlon will be 7:30 a.m. and the race will start at 9 a.m.
Entry fees are $65 for the adult triathlon, $40 for the 5k run only and $35 for the kids’ triathlon.
“We have gotten a lot of kids in the 4- to 6-years-of-age range, which is neat to see,” said Ramos. “Their event will include a .7-mile run, a one-mile bike ride and two laps in the pool. Although the children will not be competing for awards, they will still receive a certificate of participation and a T-shirt. We think it’s important to offer them the opportunity to participate in an event that promotes health and fitness and also brings the community together in a unique way.”
Visit www.avrevtri.org to download registration forms for the triathlon and a course map. For additional information, call 760-240-7880.