BETHEL — It’s not too late to register to compete in western Maine’s longest-running triathlon and its companion Kids Triathlon this weekend.
Saturday, Aug. 13, is the cutoff date for entries in the 20th annual Maine State Triathlon. It starts at 9 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 14, at the race site across from the Bethel Inn Lakehouse facility on Songo Pond on Route 5 south of Bethel.
To enter, contact the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce at 824-2282 or stop by the office. There will be no race-day registration.
The race fee is $79 for individuals and $125 for teams. Event T-shirts are guaranteed for the first 200 competitors.
Distances for the sprint triathlon are a 1 K swim in Songo Pond, a 24 K bike ride and a 5.8 K run.
Last year’s event attracted competitors from 10 states, as far away as Arizona.
Prizes will be awarded to the top three in each of 10 age groups, plus Novice (first-time triathletes), Athena (women 150-plus pounds), and Clydesdale (men 200-plus pounds), teams, and Aquabike (swim and bike only).
Registration for the 4th annual Maine State Kids’ Triathlon ends at 2 p.m. Saturday. That race begins at 3 p.m. at Angevine Park on North Road in Bethel.
Children ages 8 to 14 may participate in the untimed race. Dozens of participants are expected for the 200-yard swim, 3-mile bike ride and one-mile run.
A $25 entry fee (less for families with three or more children entering) guarantees an event T-shirt and finish medal, according to the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce.
Volunteers, who will also receive T-shirts, are still being sought for the event, which is being sponsored by Oxford Networks, Coca-Cola of Northern New England, Allied Engineering, New Balance, Mount Abram Resort, Sunday River Resort, and in memory of Denny Bunn.
For more information or to register, call the chamber office at 824-2282. Find details, a course map, and registration options at www.bethelmaine.com. Online registration is available at www.active.com or the chamber website.
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