2,200 women expected for Naperville triathlon
Sure, there will be sand and water, but Sunday will be anything but a relaxing day at the beach.
Roughly 2,200 women will test their limits when they take to the waters and streets of downtown Naperville in the U.S. Women's Triathlon.
Some of them will be serious competitors preparing for full marathons later this summer. Some simply will be out for a good time. And some will be challenging themselves - both physically and mentally - in ways they never dreamed possible.
The first racers splash into the water at 7 a.m. June 13 at Centennial Beach, 500 W. Jackson Ave.
"(Naperville is) centrally located, it's been written about as one of the best places to live in America and I think the venue is suited to this," said Jane Canepa, president of The Eventors public relations and event management company.
Women of a variety of ages and experience levels will begin with a nearly half-mile swim, followed by a 14.2-mile bike ride and 3.1-mile run.
The route will be lined by friends, relatives and strangers, all urging the women on. Everyone, it seems, is there to support everyone else.
Some competitors will run as individuals and others as teams. All participants receive a finishers medal and the top athletes in a variety of divisions will receive awards at a post-race party.
"The playing field is equal and there is camaraderie," Canepa said. "It's a whole different atmosphere. It's very positive and uplifting."
Just crossing the finish line is a victory, she said. What's more, there's a whole other battle to focus on - ovarian cancer.
The triathlon series, which is produced by Capri Events and also goes to Federal Way, Wash., and San Diego, Calif., has raised more than $1 million for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. Members of Team Hope - many of whom either have had ovarian cancer or know someone who has - each commit to raising $500 for the cause.
In addition to the triathlon, there will be a Multisport Experience from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 12, at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St. The event will include clinics on training and nutrition, product demonstrations and bargains on shoes, apparel and other gear. The public expo is free.
If you goWhat: U.S. Women's TriathlonWhen: 7 a.m. Sunday, June 13Where: Centennial Beach, 500 W. Jackson Ave., NapervilleCost: Free for fansInfo: uswts.com/?q=il welcome.htmlOvarian cancer statsbull; The disease affects about one in 71 women.bull; There are about 14,600 ovarian cancer deaths in 2009. bull; It is the most deadly of all gynecologic cancers; it ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women. bull; If ovarian cancer is found (and treated) before the cancer has spread outside the ovary, the five-year survival rate is 93 percent. However, less than 20 percent of all ovarian cancer is found at this early stage. bull; There is no method of early detection for ovarian cancer.Source: National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer SocietyTrue20001100Participants in Sunday's U.S. Women's Triathlon in Naperville must swim nearly a half-mile at Centennial Beach, race their bikes for 14.2 miles and then finish with a 3.1-mile run. The event raises money for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.Tanit Jarusan | Staff Photographer, 2008True <div class="infoBox"><h1>More Coverage</h1><div class="infoBoxContent"><div class="infoArea"><h2>Stories</h2><ul class="links"><li><a href="/story/?id=387063">The newbie: 'My whole goal is to just finish it' <span class="date">[06/11/10]</span></a></li><li><a href="/story/?id=387060">The pro: 'Every year you have to re-evaluate your goals' <span class="date">[06/11/10]</span></a></li><li><a href="/story/?id=387064">Naperville triathlon runs on volunteers' enthusiasm <span class="date">[06/11/10]</span></a></li><li><a href="/story/?id=387062">Triathlon tips from the trainer <span class="date">[06/11/10]</span></a></li></ul></div></div></div>