The Waupaca Area Triathlon celebrates its 15th year on August 15.
“People love our event,” said Terri Schulz, president of the Waupaca Area Triathlon Board of Directors and of the Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce. “They think it is very well run. We’ve gotten rave reviews over the years. We try to keep up those standards.”
What began as an event to bring people to the area has grown into much more, said Schulz. And she acknowledges that the event could not be done without sponsorship, like that from ThedaCare, which gave $3,000 to the event. “They have sponsored it for a number of years,” she said. “It helps us provide enough volunteers for the event.”
The event draws in about 1,000 adult athletes and nearly 300 children during a youth triathlon on Friday Aug. 14. “We’ve topped out for the last several years,” said Schulz. “The space that we have it in limits us as to how many entrants we can have.”
One of the things participants enjoy most is the number of volunteers at the event, said Schulz. “It takes so many volunteers to run the event,” she said.
Proceeds from the event go toward two scholarships to be given to high school students. Volunteers also receive a stipend, which they donate to a local club or organization, said Schulz.
Schulz welcomes the public to attend the events to provide moral support. “If somebody is not an athlete, just be along the route and help cheer along the athletes,” she said. “That helps them get through the event. We would love it if they would come along and enjoy the event.”
The triathlon kicks off at 7 a.m. at South Park. The long course consists of a half mile swim, 20 mile bike and 3.1 mile run. The short course consists of a quarter mile swim, 12 mile bike and 2 mile run. Also, new this year is an intermediate relay course for kids 11 to 15: quarter mile swim, 12 mile bike and 2 mile run. “Doing the short course is a little too much for them,” said Schulz. “This gives them a little option.”
To register for the event, visit www.waupacaareatriathlon.com and click on the link to register or call (715) 258-7343 or toll free (888) 417-4040.
