Naperville Sprint Triathlon offers trial-size version of the sport

Some suburbanites prefer to sleep late on Sunday and enjoy the morning with coffee and the newspaper.

Those people probably won’t be among the more than 1,800 athletes who turn out Sunday, Aug. 14, for a chillier, less-caffeinated wake-up call: the water at Centennial Beach.

The beach is the starting point for the annual Naperville Sprint Triathlon, a swim-bike-run race that offers shorter distances than many three-sport races.

“It’s short, it’s sweet, it starts at 7 and it’s over by 10:30,” Race Director Bill Burke said.

The race begins at 7 a.m. at Centennial Beach, 500 W. Jackson Ave. in Naperville, and includes a 400-meter swim, 22K bike ride and 5K run.

Burke says the event is “a good first-time race” for competitors looking to get a taste of what triathlons are like.

“It’s a really good event for men and women, and it’s going to give them a chance to step into the sport without taking too much risk,” Burke said.

Advance registration is $110 for individuals and $150 for teams. Race day registration will be an additional $25 if the event does not reach capacity.

The Naperville Running Company, 34 W. Jefferson Ave. in Naperville, has been involved with the triathlon since its inception and will be this year’s packet pickup and registration site. Athletes may pick up registration materials between 12:30 and 7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Some believe the decade-old race highlights Naperville’s involvement in the athletic community, from the presence of local volunteers to spectators supporting friends and family.

“It shows that Naperville is really concerned about health, wellness and fitness for people of all different ages, shapes, sizes and sexes,” said Midge Good, general manager at the Naperville Running Company.

Good says the Naperville event promotes “community fitness and a lifestyle of being active.”

The event typically draws more than 1,800 athletes from across the suburbs, a showing Burke expects will remain constant this year.

More than 200 cross country runners from Naperville North and Neuqua Valley high schools serve as the primary volunteers for the event, in charge of set up and tear down for the Sunday morning race.

“Really, without the kids locally, they could not put this race on,” Good said.

If you go

If you go

What: Naperville Sprint Triathlon

When: Race begins at 7 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 14

Where: Centennial Beach, 500 W. Jackson Ave., Naperville

Cost: $110 individual, $150 team in advance; $25 more on race day

Info: <a href="http://napervilletri.com">napervilletri.com</a>