Over 300 people will compete in this year's Bluewater Triathlon and Duathlon in Bright's Grove, and there will also be a new award category as more people in the 80-plus age range have signed up for the event.
The adult race will start at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 22, and will consist of an Olympic triathlon, Olympic duathlon, Olympic relay triathlon and duathlon, sprint triathlon and duathlon, and aquabike.
Race Director Haley Walker said participants' ages range from 16 to 82.
"One thing we hear time and time again about our event is that it's kind of an inclusive community event where there's a lot of people here to race but there's also a lot of people out there just to enjoy moving their bodies, and you see that with the breadth of participants that we have," Walker said.
The event will start from Bright's Grove Public School and will stretch across the grove and Camlachie, depending on the course.
The Ironkid Triathlon will take place the following day, on July 23 at 1 p.m. Kids between the ages of four to 14 will race through the streets of Bright's Grove.
Walker said the Ironkid event is usually sold out every year, but this year, the race sold out quicker than anticipated by mid-June.
"It's great to see attendance back to where it typically is for that event," said Walker. "One thing that's great this year is we actually have record attendance for the adult event so we're up to 320 athletes and I expect we'll get a few more by race day."
Those interested in competing can sign up online until Friday at 2 p.m. as there will not be day-of registration intakes. People can also register in-person Friday night during a pasta dinner fundraiser at St. John in the Wilderness Anglican Church.
