Bridgeland is going the distance in the local triathlon circuit this year, with two of the area’s premier events happening in the community soon.
Kids age 7 through 15 can participate in Bridgeland Kids’ Triathlon Saturday, Aug. 6. Younger participants ages 7 to 10 will compete in a short race comprising a 50-meter pool swim, 2-mile bike ride and half-mile run. Racers ages 11 to 15 will vie for top honors in a 100-meter pool swim, 3-mile bike race and 1-mile run. Boy and girl winners in each age category (7-8, 9-10, 11-12 and 13-15) will be named. Registration fees are $50 for an individual racer and $75 for a relay team.Adult competition happens the following day, Sunday, Aug. 7, starting at 6:45 a.m. in the Bridgeland Triathlon, a race comprising a 500-meter swim, 13.5-mile bike race and 3.65-mile run. Winners will compete for bragging rights and a $2,500 purse. Male and female invitational first-place winners will receive a $500 purse; second-place finishers, $300; and third-place winners, $200. Plus, $50 each goes to the male and female competitors with the fastest swim, bike and run splits.
Participants can compete in a variety of age categories, from 14 and under to 70-plus, as well as Clydesdales and Athenas categories.
Last year’s event sold out with 1,100 participants, so planners expanded this year’s event to 1,400 competitors. Fewer than 200 spots remain available. Entry cost is $100 for individuals and $225 for relay teams.
Participants and well-wishers are invited to a post-race party in Bridgeland immediately after the race ends.
Bridgeland hosts the noted Houston Triathlon for the first time Sunday, Sept. 25. Racers can compete in two events: a sprint distance triathlon, with a 750-meter swim, 12.4-mile bike ride and 3.65-mile run, or the Olympic distance triathlon, which is a 1,500-meter swim, 24.85-mile bike ride and 6.2-mile run. Participants will compete for a $4,500 purse, with prize money going to the Olympic distance invitational male and female winners, including $800 for first place; $500, second place; $300, third place; $150, fourth place; and $50, fifth place. The fastest male and female swimmers, bikers and runners will receive $100.
Like the Bridgeland Triathlon, many age categories are available, from 14 and under to 70 and older, as well as Clydesdale and Athena categories.Registration cost is $100 for individuals in the sprint race and $200 for each relay team. Cost to enter the Olympic distance race is $25 more. For more information or to register for either event, visit www.bridgelandtriathlon.com.