Boulder, Colorado On the heels of a wildly successful debut, the 5430 Triathlon is getting set for another great race. The 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run is scheduled for Sunday, August 25th at Boulder Reservoir.
Last year, 450 people including 75 relay teams competed in the 5430 event, named for the highest elevation in Boulder. Former Ironman Triathlon world champion Scott Molina was so intrigued by the race that he flew in from Christchurch, New Zealand and placed third. Local athletes Dennis Meeker and Leslie Dittrich took the honors as the first winners of the event.
The grassroots event received rave reviews for its organization, low-key atmosphere and support from nearly one thousand volunteers.
"The community of Boulder is really the attraction for triathletes to participate," said race director Beth Spiegel. "It's a very intimate setting at the 5430, you're not just a number. Scott Molina said to me after the race, `You've captured the soul of what the Ironman was 20 years ago.'"
The race benefits the ALS Association, the national not-for-profit health organization dedicated to the fight against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease).
The 2.4-mile swim features two loops in Boulder Reservoir. The 112-mile bike course has changed slightly for 2002, featuring an out-and-back past the town of Masonville; the loops through Lyons have been eliminated. The 26.2-mile marathon consists of three loops on soft surfaces around the Reservoir. Both the swim and run are very spectator-friendly courses.
Relay teams of two, three and four persons are accepted. Four-person relay teams will have one swimmer, one biker and two runners.
Registration is $250 for individuals through April 1; $275 after April 1 and $295 after June 1. Relay teams are $325; and $340 after June 1. The 5430 Triathlon is sanctioned by USA Triathlon. All participants must be a current member of USAT or pay a $7 one-day membership fee along with the registration fee.
More information and online registration can be found at www.5430tri.com.
