More than 50 participants ages 10 to 70 years old and their families will be representing seven states in Mountain Grove on Sunday, June 28 during the 22nd Annual Lake Freebird Triathlon and Duathlon. The event begins at 8 a.m. and takes about two and a half hours for the last competitor to finish. An award ceremony will follow concluding the event around 11 a.m.
The public is welcome to attend and are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs. Parking will be available at the former Dr. Hill Clinic on W. 13th St.
Cynthia MacPherson, an original organizer of the event, said many of the people traveling to the event are asking about places to stay, places to eat, and more.
“It’s another opportunity for people to come and have lunch here, buy gas here and just come to the area,” said MacPherson of an event she describes as an unknown fixture within the city limits of Mountain Grove.
MacPherson said participant numbers are a little lower this year due to the cold, wet spring and the coronavirus hampering the ability of athletes training for the event.
In spite of the challenge, she said it is the first time to have more than 10 youth participants ages 16 and under and the list is expected to get bigger through the week.
MacPherson said there is a Sprint Triathlon as well as a Beginners Triathlon, which allows competitors to have a shorter swim, bike and run. Flotation devices may be used by beginners in the swim. A Duathlon is available for those with an aversion to swimming. The youth event is for those under 14 years of age.
MacPherson said if someone knows of a young person wanting to participate but doesn’t have the gear or financial ability to pay the registration fees, they are encouraged to call Bridgett at the MacPherson Law Center at 417-926-0199.
MacPherson also said there will be at least three competitors participating that are over the age of 70.
For those who are age 50 and over by Dec. 31 of this year, she said the Mountain Grove event is an official qualifier for the National Senior Games to be held in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. in 2021.
Before this weekend’s event, participants will walk their bikes and swim gear to the transition area, which is a little over a half mile. The public can do the same or there will also be a pickup truck to load bikes and chairs to drive them over to the starting line. Registration and packet pick-up is from 2-6 p.m. on Saturday, June 20. To avoid the morning rush, bikes and lawn chairs can also be dropped off on Saturday and they will be secured overnight.
As for the contest, the first phase is the swimming portion of the event.
“The swim really is a unique and interesting portion of the event,” said Jason MacPherson, who leads water safety and sponsors the event with MacPherson Law Center. “We have kayaks, paddle boards and a ski boat on the lake to allow participants a sense of confidence about swimming in open water.”
He added that if someone gets in trouble or just panics from the adrenaline rush, they can summons the closest water craft to rest, settle down and relaunch before finishing the swim. He said the assistance does not create a disqualification.
Jason MacPherson also noted that he is very hopeful that with the public having more knowledge of the sporting event, that more local citizens will sign-up to compete or just show up to cheer on the participants.
The second phase is a 14-mile bike ride for the Sprint Triathlon and Duathlon. It will be a 10-mile bike ride for the Begin
-ners Triathlon. Competitors will leave the property and bike the hills by the golf course, cross the overpass of Highway 60 then turn left to go on the hills of Coke Rd.
The final phase is a challenging 5K run. Beginners will get a break here with a mile run around the lake. The finish line is at the transition area where a likely worn out competitor will be greeted by a host of volunteers and spectators.
Many competitors from past years have noted the course as one of their favorites due to it being a beautiful area.
This year’s event will benefit the Mountain Grove Lions Club, Mountain Grove archery team and Mountain Grove FFA Chapter.
Cynthia MacPherson added that the annual event has always had various organizations assist, but said the Mountain Grove Lions Club pretty well owns the event at this point.
“Without their incredible assistance we would not be able to offer this event,” she said.
Ray Richey, with the Mountain Grove Lions Club, concedes that while it is a lot of work, the Lions Club wants to see this event continue as they all enjoy volunteering.
“It is just not conceivable that this community could lose this very unique event,” he said. “It is a great experience, not only for the participants, but the volunteers and spectators as well.”
For any more information, contact Cynthia by emailing cyndiogar@yahoo.com.
