More than 2,000 to race in Naperville triathlon

More than 2,000 athletes will prove what they're made of this weekend in Naperville.

The seventh annual HRMS Naperville Sprint Triathlon begins at 7 a.m. Sunday at Centennial Beach, 500 W. Jackson Ave.

Race organizer Bill Burke of Premier Event Management has organized races across the country, but said Centennial Beach makes Naperville unique.

"I've never seen a pool like this where we can do a 400 -meter swim safely and bike on a closed bike course and do the run," he said. "It's just a really good setting."

Participants will swim 400 meters, bike 22 kilometers (13.3 miles) and run 5 kilometers (3.1 miles).

This year about 2,200 athletes already have signed up, roughly 600 more than last year. Burke said the event appears to be recession-proof, at least as far as attracting athletes.

"It's a fun, simple event," he said. "It's a very easy, very good entry level event."

Roughly 100 slots remained open as of Friday morning.

Athletes who have yet to register can do so for $100. Registration and packet pickup will continue from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today at the Naperville Running Company, 20 W. Jefferson Ave.

Burke stressed participants will not be allowed to pick up their packets on race day.

The top five overall male and female finishers will receive awards as will the top three males and females in their age groups. The event also serves as the AARP National 50-plus Triathlon Championship.

With forecasters predicting temperatures in the 90s, organizers are taking extra precautions, including making sure to have extra ice and water on hand. They've also put emergency medical teams on notice.

Burke said he hopes the early hours and relatively short distance - compared to an Olympic distance triathlon at least - will keep the heat from being too much of a problem.

He encourages residents to come out to cheer the racers and said a triathlon is "one of the coolest sports to watch."

"You can watch people swim, then run to the transition area and watch them switch from swimming to bikes and stay there and watch them transition from bikes to running and walk a short distance to the finish line," he said.

Area streets will be closed or have restricted parking during the event as well as immediately before and after it.

Race organizers plan to donate $6,000 to $7,000 to Naperville North and Neuqua Valley high schools for providing volunteers this weekend.

They are also hoping to hold a children's event in Naperville next year.

Triathlon road restrictions

Roadway restrictions will be in place Sunday for the HRMS Naperville Sprint Triathlon that starts and ends at Centennial Beach. Streets along the race route will be closed from 6 to 11:30 a.m. The race route and selected streets will be a no parking, tow zone from 5 a.m. to noon.

Temporary road or lane closures and no parking, tow zone regulations apply to the following streets:

• 75th Street from Book Road to Rickert Drive (westbound curb lane only)

• Book Road from 75th Street to Rickert Drive (northbound lane only)

• Rickert Drive from Book Road to 75th Street (eastbound lanes only)

• West Street from Aurora Avenue to Rickert Drive

• Aurora Avenue from River Road to West Street (local access only)

• Aurora Avenue from West Street to Main Street

• River Road from Aurora Avenue to Jefferson Avenue (northbound lane only)

• Jefferson Avenue from River Road to Parkway Drive (eastbound lane only)

• Jackson Avenue from West Street to Webster Street

• Eagle Street from Aurora Avenue to Jefferson Avenue

• Webster Street from Hillside Road to Water Street

• Hillside Road from West Street to Main Street

• West Street from Jefferson Avenue to Stevens Street

• Ewing Street from Jackson Avenue to Jefferson Avenue

• Mill Street from Jackson Avenue to Jefferson Avenue

• Porter Avenue from Webster Street to Main Street

In addition, several no parking and tow away zones are in effect from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the following streets:

• Spring Avenue from West Street to Webster Street (north side only)

• Douglas Avenue from West Street to Webster Street (north side only)

• Franklin Avenue from West Street to Webster Street (north side only)

• Benton Avenue from West Street to Webster Street (north side only)

• Fremont Street from Stevens Street to Benton Avenue (east side only)

• Ewing Street from Jefferson Avenue to Franklin Avenue (east side only)

• West Street from Jefferson Avenue to Franklin Avenue (east side only)

• Eagle Street from Jefferson Avenue to Benton Avenue (east side only)

• Franklin Street from Mill Street to West Street (north side only)

• Benton Avenue from Mill Street to West Street (north side only)

• Van Buren Avenue from West Street to Ewing Avenue (north side only)

• Stevens Street from West Street to Ewing Avenue (north side only)

• Both sides of Washington Street between Chicago Avenue and Benton Avenue

For a detailed map, visit naperville.il.us/walkrun.aspx.

Source: City of Naperville