GHS outdoor triathlon fundraiser set for Aug. 3

For the fifth time, Greencastle will offer an outdoor triathlon. The triathlon is set for Saturday, Aug. 3.

The event will take place at Robe-Ann Park with routes through the City of Greencastle and Big Walnut Sports Park. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and the events will start at 8 a.m.

Preregister at https://runsignup.com/Race/IN/Greencastle/GMSTriforSoccer by July 24 and you will get a T-shirt with GHS Tri for Girls Soccer.

A triathlon focuses on three separate fitness sports: Swimming, biking and running. In this particular event, participants will complete 200 or 400 meters swimming, followed by biking four or eight miles and running one or two miles.

The short sprint allows athletes to try a new sport without a lot of training. The long sprint challenges athletes who may already be fit and want to try a new sport.

“This is a true test of endurance and physical and mental toughness,” event organizer Becky Hunsinger said.

But the event is more than just proving who is the “toughest in Putnam County.”

Hunsinger’s primary reason for organizing such an event is to educate the county’s youth that there are many ways to be physically active and to encourage them to seek different ways to test their endurance.

“I want athletes of all ages to know that groups like the bicycling and running clubs can crossover and help to encourage each other to be their individual best,” Hunsinger said.

Funds generated by the triathlon will benefit the Greencastle High School girls’ soccer team.

If you are eight years old or older and are interested in participating, you can pre-register for theevent anytime online at https://runsignup.com/Race/IN/Greencastle/GMSTriforSoccer or on Saturday, Aug. 3 at 7 a.m. Register at runsignup.com to participate.

Sponsors of the event are Hendricks Power, Cash Concrete, Casey’s, Buzzie Unicem USA, Scorpion, Athletico, Putnam Parks and Pathways, Jimmy Johns, HydroShield, Poet, Sustainable Steam, Nameste Lofts, Warehouse, Walmart, Meyer’s Market, Kad Contracting, The WareHouse, Jameson Coffee, Endeavor, Hodges Woodall Optometry, American Legion #58, Pingleton Sawmill, Monicals, First National Bank, Dr Kirsch Dentistry, Edwards Heating and Air Conditioning, Greencastle Pediatric Dentistry, John Hennette, State Farm Insurance Amanda Procenti and FOP.