It’s not too late to grab a spot and dive into the McMinnville City Triathlon set for this Saturday, Aug. 15, beginning at 8 a.m.
Registration is continuing until Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m., or you can register now at www.mcminnvillecitytriathlon.com.
The triathlon will feature a 400-meter swim at Gilley Pool, an 18-mile bicycle ride to the Country Club area and back, and a 5K run around the Civic Center neighborhood. The course is deemed challenging enough for experienced competitors, yet it’s also a good starting point for beginners because of the shorter distances involved.
“It’s going to be bigger and better than last year,” said Paige Northcutt, one of the organizers. Northcutt said the bicycle leg will follow its traditional route, but the foot race has been reconfigured to stay around the Civic Center. This doesn’t present as much of an issue with traffic, she said.
Motorists are cautioned to be on the lookout for heavy bicycle traffic on the bypass from the Civic Center to Country Club in the morning on Saturday. There will also be runners around the Civic Center. Most participants should finish the race by 10 a.m.
Northcutt noted 100 percent of the triathlon profits will be split between the Hamilton Street Activity Center and the school system’s FUEL program, which sends weekend food packs home with children in need.
She also said participants can register for the full triathlon or individual legs of it. She said if someone would like to run and bike, but doesn’t feel comfortable swimming, there are people available from McMinnville’s swim team who can be recommended by calling 473-9355.