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Triathlon Reverses For A Good Cause

By ERIC HORCHY

The Suncoast News

Published: August 2, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - Two Tampa-based nonprofit groups will team up to support the fight against cancer by putting on the fifth annual Faces of Courage Triathlon here.

Athletes Who Care will present the Aug. 9 race to benefit Faces of Courage. Both are 501(c)(3) charitable organizations and work to raise money for those affected by cancer.

The triathlon offers four styles of races at two lengths, sprint distance and a smaller course. Sprint distance includes a 3.1-mile run, 10.5-mile bike and one-eighth mile pool swim. Registration fees range from $55 to $115, depending on the type of race selected.

Organizers say this is a perfect opportunity for less-experienced athletes looking to test the proverbial waters of multisport races. One of the main reasons behind this is the reversed order of events. Triathlons typically race swim-bike-run. The Faces of Courage race goes in reverse order.

"It's ideal for a first-timer because for a lot of people, their fear is the run," said Russell Marlowe, the race's co-organizer and secretary for Athletes Who Care. "This gets the run over first when they're still fresh. And even if they are not great swimmers, the pool is only four feet deep, so they could always walk the swim, too."

Marlowe said organizers are expecting roughly 300 people to participate, ranging from families to the serious triathlete.

Children as young as 7 are invited to participate in the two shorter distances. All races are also USA Triathlon-sanctioned.

There will be various events going on at the Land O' Lakes Recreation complex, 3032 Collier Parkway, the day prior to the race during packet pickup from 5 to 9 p.m., Marlowe said. Among others is the chance to win two bicycles donated by San Antonio Cyclery. One will be given away, and the second will be awarded in a drawing.

To register for the race, go to www.athleteswhocare.org. Information on the Faces of Courage organization and its charitable work can be found at www.facesofcourage.org.

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