"When somebody says they're a triathlete, there's kind of an, 'Oooh' (response)," she said. "You kind of get addicted to that 'Oooh.'"

She helped many kids and adults get that "Oooh" response this past Saturday as the race director of her club's Shark Attack Triathlon at Crystal Hot Springs. McPherson loves hearing triumphant stories and seeing smiles on faces of first-timers, who made up more than 60 percent of the 300 Shark Attack participants. She beamed while telling of a female participant who lost 250 pounds.

McKinley has completed 50-plus triathlons, including four Ironman races (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, 26.2-mile run) and 10 Half Ironman races (also known as a 70.3).

"It keeps you focused," McKinley said. "It's kind of the carrot dangling in front of you that keeps you training."

"It's very addicting," Anderson added. "The reward is how you feel accomplishing that event. It's a big achievement, not to just finish a 5K but to finish a 12-mile bike ride and a half-mile swim."

McKinley, who really got into the sport about eight years ago, said he isn't surprised it's catching on in this recreation-rich state.

"I feel like for Utahns our culture is outdoors," he said. "I think we're a health-minded state, and it creates an environment for people to challenge themselves and push themselves a little bit."

Depending on how competitive triathletes want to get — n whether they simply want to challenge themselves or go for podium finishes — n triathlons can make a dent in the wallet. Some costs are almost unavoidable, such as paying for a place to swim, purchasing decent running shoes and buying a reliable bike (usually, but not always, a road bike), which can cost from the low hundreds to upwards of $10,000. Race entry fees usually cost at least $50 as well, not including travel.

Then there are luxury items like tri shorts — n which many athletes wear as bottoms for all three events to save changing time in transition — heart-rate monitors, GPS equipment, aerodynamic helmets, tri wetsuits, nutritional and personal products, and tri-specific bikes. Those can can really make the costs skyrocket.

"The drawback to the sport," McKinley said, "is the financial commitment."

It isn't, he insists, the time commitment. McKinley says people can easily work toward doing triathlons on a half-hour or an hour a day. The key is making it a priority.

"When you talk to people the first time they are in awe (and ask), 'How do you do that? How do you find time to do that?"' he said. "I'm on the other side. 'How do you not do it?' There's plenty of time in the day to prepare yourself. ... It takes a lot less to prepare than people realize."

Once people decide to jump in, McKinley said they are usually embraced by the triathlon community because fellow triathletes know the devotion and dedication it takes to continue training.

"More than anything, people need to know that it's a non-hostile environment," he said. "Everybody's very welcoming."

Well, as long as you sign up in time.

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E-mail: jody@desnews.com