By L.J. Gambone
Apple Valley Review
On your marks, get set, get ready for the Town of Apple Valley’s Sixth Annual Reverse Triathlon beginning at 5:30 a.m. Sept. 26.
The popular competition will kick off with a 5k run and move on to a 12-mile flat road bicycle course. The final event will be a 150-yard pool swim at Civic Center Park, 14999 Dale Evans Parkway.
According to Joseph Ramos, recreation supervisor for the Town of Apple Valley, more than 400 athletes from all over Southern California showed up for last year’s event and he expects a similar turn out this time around.
“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 maximum number of athletes accepted in the triathlon is 450 and only those over the age of 18 will be permitted to compete. For youngsters ages 5 through 11, a special triathlon will be held.
The starting point for the adult race will be at Dale Evans Parkway at Civic Center Park. The route will continue on to Corwin Road, Dakota Street and Navajo Road. The events in the reverse triathlon are completed in backwards order from a traditional triathlon, Ramos said.
It’s usually swim, bike, run bout 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.”
Every athlete who participates in the reverse triathlon will receive a T-shirt and medal. The top three in each adult age group will receive award certificates. Medals will be presented to the top three overall male and female finishers in the 5k event. No awards will be given in the children’s division, as Ramos said the race is purely for their enjoyment.
Registration on race day 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 $70 for the adult triathlon, $45 for the 5k run only and $40 for the kids’ triathlon.
“We have always gotten a lot of kids in the four to six 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.”
Registration forms for the triathlon, as well as a course map, can be downloaded at www.avrevtri.org. For additional information, call 760-240-7880.
— L.J. Gambone is a freelance reporter for High Desert Media Group. Visit her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/victorvalleyhappenings.