Adults, kids get a chance to try a triathlon in Murray

MURRAY — The distances might be nothing resembling those in an Ironman competition. Heck, even the recently completed Jordanelle Triathlon dwarf them.

But for the couple hundred youngsters and their parents hitting the water Labor Day morning at the Murray Park Center, the triathlon will be an accomplishment nonetheless.

Great Basin Coaching, a triathlon and multi-sport training service run by Jo Garuccio, is sponsoring the introductory triathlon with hopes of inspiring the next generation of triathletes.

Garuccio, a six-time age-group world triathlon champion, also helped organize a youth triathlon in Park City a couple of weeks ago.

"This is something that I hope gets more people interested in multi-sport competition," Garuccio said. "It's not something that is going to scare people away because it's so difficult. This is just to give them a little exposure to it and show them it's fun."

The Murray event is small by design. With youngsters swimming only 75 meters — or three lengths of the Park Center pool — and running less than a mile, the race will not overextend many people. A 2.3-mile bike ride is thrown in for good measure.

Adults and relay teams get to stretch things out a little bit. The swim doubles to 150 meters, while the bike ride loops around Murray City Park twice for a total of 4.6 miles. The run is pushed to 1.2 miles.

The bike portion of the race will take riders around the park and up Vine Street before zipping back down 5300 South for a couple of blocks before reentering the park at Parkview Elementary.

With many age and gender divisions, along with relay teams, there will be plenty of winners — a planned part of the race so the next wave of Utah's triathletes gets a positive experience.

Triathlons, Garuccio said, can become a lifelong fitness program as well as a competitive sport.

"The sport of triathlon is generally an individual endurance event. Anyone with desire can complete one," she said on her Web site. "As a coach, I strive to help each athlete choose and meet realistic goals while continuing to enjoy the sport. My job is to help you reach as high as you wish to reach, whether it's simply finishing a race or winning your age group. And, in between all that, we will strive to keep life on an even keel."

The race will have a traditional transition area where athletes will put on their shoes after swimming and hop on their bikes. They will use the same area to transition from biking to running before finishing the race at the gazebo in the middle of the park.

Great Basin triathlon

When: Sept. 4, 8 a.m. (Check-in at 7 a.m.)

Where: Murray Park Center

Cost: $25 per athlete

Contact: GreatBasinCoaching.com or 566-9727

Distances

7-10 years: 75 yard swim, 2.3-mile bike, .8-mile run

11-18 years: 150 yard swim, 4.6-mile bike, 1.2-mile run

Adult/Relay: 150 yard swim, 4.6-mile bike, 1.2-mile run

Seniors 50+: 150 yard swim, 4.6-mile bike, 1.2-mile run

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E-mail: jeborn@desnews.com