On Your Mark Events will kick off its 19th annual Tri-For-Fun Triathlon Series at Shadow Cliffs Regional Park tomorrow with a full field of 1,000 registered participants of all skills, ages, and experience.
ìOur main goal is to provide a fantastic experience for everyone,î said On Your Mark Events co-principal Mark Aiton. ìWe have made so many wonderful friends through the years because of the Tri-For-Fun. Thousands have cut their triathlon teeth with the Tri-For-Fun, and they keep coming back as well as taking part with our other longer-distance triathlons.î
It is already estimated, that there will be more than 400 first-time triathletes at tomorrowís triathlon. Many have been working out with Bay Area gyms, such as at ClubSport of Pleasanton and Bay Area YMCAís, as well as with team training groups.
For the past several weeks, KPIX Channel 5 televisionís Saturday ìMorning Showî has featured a beginnersí training segment for the Tri-For-Fun, led by Eric Harr, a fitness expert, professional triathlete and published author,
Throughout the season series, at least 40 percent of all the participants will be first-timers, according to Aiton.
Explaining why the local triathlon thrives so well year after year, Aiton said that participants say ìitís the entire the experience: the friendly and fun atmosphere, pleasant scenery and a great course.î
Triathlete magazine agreed, when they named the Tri-For-Fun Triathlon Series as one of the best triathlons in Northern America a few years ago.
Utilizing the lake and rolling hills of Shadow Cliffs Regional Park and the flat paved roads running through Pleasanton and Livermore, the Tri-For-Fun features a course distance that includes a 400-yard swim in Shadow Cliffs Lake, an 11-mile bike loop course on level streets, and a 3-mile run along a rolling fire trail.
ìThe course is perfect for the newcomer as well as the seasoned triathlete,î Aiton said.
ìAlong with the shorter than usual triathlon distance, the local event makes for a safe, friendly and non-competitive atmosphere, and is an excellent event for the numerous first-time triathletes,î he added. ìItís not unusual to see a 10-year-old running along side a 70-year-old.î
Although the three Tri-For-Fun triathlons planned in Pleasanton are not competitive, there is a large timing clock so that participants can check on their time for personal achievement.
Also noteworthy with the local Tri-For-Fun series is the higher ratio of female participants over male. Many of the women tell Aiton how much they like the pleasant atmosphere, and they donít feel like they are going to get knocked over on their bike by some guy trying to break a ìworldís record.î
ìThrough the past six years, we can usually count on 64 percent of the participants being female,î says Aiton. ìIím still looking for an organized co-ed triathlon in the nation that has such a ratio.î
After the novice athletes master the first three Tri-For-Funs, they can meet the challenge of the final event: the Tri-For-Real. The final event of the series is held at the same location, but the distances have been increased to 700-yard swim, 20-mile bike and 4-mile run.
After tomorrowís first 2006 On Your Mark Tri-For-Fun event, those that follow are scheduled for July 15 and August 19. The Tri-For-Real will be held on September 17.All races will start at 7 a.m. at Shadow Cliffs with a 1,000-participant maximum for each triathlon.
To register or to receive more information about On Your Mark Eventsí Tri-For-Fun Triathlon Series, call 209-795-7832 or visit the eventís Web site at www.onyourmarkevents.com.
Baseball camp starts June 28 at Foothill
The 12th annual Foothill High School baseball camp will be held starting June 28 at the schoolís varsity baseball field.
The camp, open to both boys and girls, will be conducted by Foothillís varsity baseball coach Brian Freitas, with assistance from varsity players and the schoolís baseball coaching staff. Instruction will include the fundamentals
of offense, defense and pitching, bunting, catching, throwing, playing all
positions, base-running and more. All participants will receive a camp T-shirt, camp photo and certificate of completion.
The first camp will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. from June 28-30 for players in the 7-12 year old age group. Registration costs $115.
For players in the 13-15 year old age group, the camp will be held from 9 a.m. to noon from July 11-13, with registration costing $100 of received by July 1, or $115 after that.
All proceeds will benefit Foothill Highís baseball program.
Applications are available at All Star Sports, 3037 Hopyard Rd, or on the Internet at www.pleasantonpony.com. Questions can also be directed Freitas at 461-3791 ext. 45#.
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