Runners, cyclists, swimmers head to Bridgeland
During the Cypress Triathlon, top athletes aren’t the only ones lining up at the starting gate.
Beginner, intermediate and advanced runners, cyclists and swimmers are all invited to sign up.
The two-day event slated for Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31, also includes a youth race and Doggie Splash’n Dash for canine competitors.
All races will be held at Festival Park in Bridgeland, an 11,400-acre master-planned community located in Cypress and developed by The Howard Hughes Corp.
“This is one of the largest triathlons in the state and the production quality is second to none,” assistant race director Tony Sapp said.
Packet pick-up for the youth triathlon begins at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday – and the race starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Lakeland Community Pool. The course includes a 50- to 100-meter swim, a two-mile bike ride and a half-mile or mile-long run. Generally about 350 youths compete.
The Doggie Splash’N Dash begins at 7 a.m. on Saturday at the boat dock on Lake Bridgeland. Pets compete alongside their owners in a 200-meter swim and one-mile run. Dogs will be awarded prizes according to their weight class – small, medium and large. Between 50 and 100 dogs compete.
Competitors will begin arriving at 6 a.m. on Sunday for the Sprint Distance Tri. The race begins at 6:45 a.m. and includes a 550-meter swim, 13-mile bike ride and 3.1 mile run. Sapp said that 1,500 athletes of all ages show up for the big event on Sunday.
Sapp competed in the Cypress Triathlon before he started working with Onurmark Productions, the company that produces the event. He also puts on athletic events with his company, My Negative Split.
“The quality of this event, the safety of the course, it’s all first class – and it’s for all skill levels,” Sapp said.
He encourages children to try the triathlon – even if it’s their first time. “It’s a great way to introduce kids to the sport,” he said. “It’s in a safe environment. All the trails are through the neighborhood. And it makes for a fun family weekend, where everyone can get involved, even the dog.”
Sapp explained that racers have the option to support a nonprofit by creating a profile on “Reason2Race” website, Reason2Race.com.
The Onurmark Giving Challenge awards a $1,000 prize to the top five highest fundraising athletes – made to the athletes’ chosen nonprofit in their honor…….
