Triathlon, 26-mile relay run on Saturday

Motorists may want to avoid Sheckler, Allen and Soliras roads on Saturday morning.

Athletes will be competing in two big events littering the road and walkways as they race through Churchill County.

The eighth annual Dust Devil Triathlon and the 26-mile Co-Ed Relay Race both commence Saturday morning with the triathlon going off at 7:30 a.m. and the relay marathon at 10 a.m. Check-in for the triathlon begins at 6:30 a.m.

The triathlon features a 525-yard swim, 14.5-mile cycling course (helmets required) and a 2.92-mile run. Athletes begin with the swim at the Churchill County Pool then hit the road down Sheckler to Allen and Solias before returning to the fairgrounds to engage in the run.

Participants can still register for the triathlon, which is sanctioned by USAT Triathlon. Cost is $65 per person plus a $12 fee for non-USAT members and $120 per team with a maximum of three people per squad. Registration is limited to the first 75 individuals and ends at 5 p.m. today. There will be no day-of sign ups allowed.

Parks and Recreation Supervisor Danny Gleich said the race was at about 80 percent capacity as of Wednesday.

“It’s more than enough for what we want to achieve,” he added. “We can take about 14 total people, in any type of grouping. It’s first-come, first-serve.”

The triathlon also features three waves at the start. Gleich said upon registration, he places athletes with similar skill levels together, especially in the pool, to avoid pileups and clogged lanes.

As for the team aspect, there are currently seven clubs, which is the most ever. The slight growth in team participation is due to many people do not feel comfortable in the pool, Gleich explained.

In addition, it also allows an individual to specialize in one event, such as cycling over having to compete in all three events.

“Some people just don’t like swimming and are not comfortable in the pool,” Gleich said. “It’s a nice physical undertaking … and it’s a good way to get accustomed to the nice, early morning and how it breaks down.”

As for growth of the event, Gleich said attendance has remained steady the past several years. One reason is the lack of a large body of water, especially in drought-stricken years, to expand the race.

However, the sprint triathlon acts as a “precursor” for individuals prepping for full triathlons around Lake Tahoe or other places.

“It’s basically a 5K compared to a marathon,” Gleich said. “People use it as a first or second triathlon. It’s a nice start for most people.”

As for the relay race, the 26-mile endeavor is a fundraiser for Fallon and Fernley cross-country teams.

Runners will start and finish at the Churchill County High School track and will follow a similar route as the cyclists to begin the relay. The relay will also feature legs along Bottom and Alcorn roads plus a quick stint on the Reno Highway before runners navigate their way back to CCHS.

The concept, Fallon cross-country coach Tommy Thomson said, had perhaps lofty expectations as the second-year coach opted to allow up to 23 runners per team with the first and last legs running two miles each and every other runner taking one mile.

While teams can use 23 runners, Thomson and former coach Mitch Overlie, who has assisted in organizing the event, too, figured it would be tough for teams to gather 23 individuals. Teams can carry any number of runners with a maximum of 12 men.