Triathlon will draw more than 150 competitors

(Sentinel photo by Joyce Kaiser) Triathlon participants listen to instructions before beginning the 2008 race in Le Mars. This year's sprint triathlon, which includes 300 meters of swimming, 15 miles of biking and 3.1 miles of running, is Saturday. [Click to enlarge]

Rich Sudtelgte will swim, bike and run his first triathlon Saturday.

In fact, the Le Mars Sprint Triathlon with be the his first race -- ever.

What spurred him on? Siblings.

(Map contributed) The Le Mars Sprint Triathlon biking route, which takes cyclists out to a point then back again, runs along C-30 and K-64. Volunteers are needed to stay at positions along both the biking and running route to keep racers on the right track. People interested in volunteering can contact the Le Mars Family YMCA. [Click to enlarge]

"My brother and sister have done it for the last two years," the Le Mars man said. "I ran track in high school but haven't run since then."

Sudtelgte has been training for the 300-meter swim, 15-mile bicycle ride and 3.1-mile run, and he said it wasn't as bad as he expected.

Will he beat his brother and sister?

(Map contributed) The running route for the Le Mars Sprint Triathlon will bring racers through residential Le Mars near the outdoor swimming pool. People are encouraged to cheer on triathlon participants Saturday. [Click to enlarge]

"We'll find out Saturday," Sudtelgte said. "That's the goal."

With more than 160 participants signed up, the Le Mars Sprint Triathlon should provide some good competition Saturday.

More out of town people are coming for the event than in the past

"I've heard people say that a lot more serious athletes come after an event has been up for two or three years," said event coordinator Angela Loutsch, of the Le Mars Family YMCA.

"We also have a good portion of first timers. Some are doing it as a team and some are doing the whole thing themselves," she said.

The sprint triathlon begins at 9 a.m. with a 300-yard swim in the Le Mars Outdoor Pool.

Next is a 15-mile bike ride on county roads C-30 and K-64.

Finally a 3.1-mile run takes competitors through residential Le Mars, using the same route as last year.

People can race as an individual or team. Teams will consist of two or three people competing one at a time in a relay.

Awards will be given to the top three males and females overall, as well as top team and top individual in each age division.

The 15-mile bike ride is new this year. In previous years bikers had only spent about 11 miles on the road.

"The first year we had quite a few people say we should make the bike ride longer, so in last years packets for athletes we had an evaluation, and one of the questions was whether they like the 11-mile bike ride or if they'd like to see it go to 15 miles," Loutsch said.

Eighty percent or more said they'd like a longer bicycle route.

Loutsch said the longer distance makes the Le Mars Sprint Triathlon more proportionate with the Ironman Triathlon, with includes an 112-mile bicycle ride and a 26.2-mile run.

"The percentages are closer this way," Loutsch said. "One of the common theories is you can win a triathlon on the bike leg, so that might be why some people wanted it longer."

The forecast for Saturday shows a chance of rain, but Loutsch said the event will still go on even if it's raining.

"It'll make the entire thing a swimming event," Loutsch joked.

However, lighting, thunder and severe weather would delay the event.

"It will all be decided that morning," she said. "Last year we had heavy fog that almost created a delay for the bike route, but fortunately it lifted."

Volunteers are still needed for the triathlon -- Loutsch said she's short about 25.

"We need people to help with traffic control, keeping runners and bikers on their route," Loutsch said. "Most people bring lawn chairs so they can sit."

Volunteers are needed from about 8:15 a.m. to around noon. They will receive a triathlon T-shirt.

"We can't do it without our volunteers," Loutsch said, also thanking the Plymouth County Sheriff's Office, the National Guard, the Le Mars Police and Fire Departments, and local EMTs.

"We appreciate their help in creating a safe environment," she said.

Loutsch also invited spectators to line up along 12th Street near the outdoor pool. All transitions between legs of the race will take place in the pool's parking lot.

Loutsch sent letters to residents along the run route to encourage them to step outside and cheer runners on, and also to avoid parking in the street or traveling much within the race area.

"We're trying to make it as smooth and safe as we can for the participants and volunteers," she said.

People interested in volunteering can call the Le Mars Family YMCA at 546-6655 or, if it's after hours, leave a message at the Le Mars Outdoor Pool at 546-4809, giving your name, phone number and T-shirt size.

People can still register to compete through Thursday (today) at www.allsportcentral.com.

Packet pickup for triathletes will be Friday from 5:30 - 8 p.m. at the Le Mars Outdoor Pool.