Triathletes are warming up in preparation for the fourth annual Kelly Lake Triathlon on Saturday, with proceeds to benefit the Shriners Hospitals for Children-Chicago.
Races will begin at 7:30 a.m. with a 750-meter swim in Kelly Lake, followed by a 15.5-mile bicycle ride around White Lake and a 3.4-mile run around Kelly Lake.
A small group of people started the triathlon 20 years ago. The annual race ended in 2003, but supporters brought it back in 2011. The event is now hosted by the Kelly Lake Advancement Association.
The triathlon has grown from 50 participants in 2011 to 150, including about 55 first-time triathletes, last year from 11 states and Canada.
“It is small and beginner friendly, and ideal for people who never tried it,” triathlon coordinator Roger Bloom said. “It is not too intimidating for people.”
Bloom was inspired to make Shriners Hospitals the beneficiary of the triathlon after his nephew, Peyton Withrow, was confined to a wheelchair after suffering severe injuries in a car wreck.
“This cause is truly close to my family as my nephew has been helped immensely by Shriners and would not have the quality of life he has today without them,” Bloom said.
Withrow participated in the 2013 race as a paratriathlete and will return Saturday.
The triathlon raised more than $1,200 in 2013.
Shriners hospitals provide medical care for children, regardless of families’ income status.
“They will arrange for local families to travel down to Chicago for care,” Bloom said.
Ryne Scopp, of Kenosha, was the triathlon’s male overall winner in 2013. Elizabeth Bovin, of Fitchburg, had the best time among the women.
Gold sponsors for the race are PowerBar, Rudy Project and Michelob Ultra. Additional sponsors are Kelly Lake Kwik Stop, Witt’s Piggly Wiggly, Springside Cheese, Sharper Image Salon and Tanning, Romy’s Holiday Inn, Kiefer Swimwear, Advocare, Lava Magazine, Steiner Electric Company and Geneva Running Outfitters.
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