Triathlon to Return to the Shores, Pointes

Professional triathletes and weekend warriors will once again have the opportunity to run, bike and kayak through St. Clair Shores and the Grosse Pointes in the Shores-Pointes Adventure Triathlon.

St. Clair Shores City Council recently gave approval to triathlon organizers to hold the event Saturday, July 21, in Blossom Heath Park.

from across St. Clair Shores and as far aways as South Carolina, Colorado and Mexico, participated in the inaugural event.

Organizers expect to exceed that total this year.

"We had an awesome success last year," event director Lynda Charow told council. "We expect two to three times more participants (this year)."

The event will still be based in Blossom Heath, but will include a few tweaks to the bike and run routes.

The routes for the kayak-bike-run, or the run-bike-run, competitions include:

• A 2.1 mile kayak race starting in Blossom Heath Harbor, proceeding into Lake St. Clair with a turn in 10 Mile bay,

• A 11.1 mile bicycle route proceeding south along Jefferson to Provencal in Grosse Pointe Farms, west to Kercheval, south to Tonnacour before returning north on Lake Shore back to Blossom Heath,

• And a 5K along Revere and Lange streets to keep the race on the eastside on Jefferson.

"We shouldn't be an inconvenience to people since its 7 - 11 a.m.," Charow added.

In addition to attracting a number of participants, and their supporters, to St. Clair Shores for the first triathlon, it also benefited local high schools. Proceeds from the 2011 event allowed organizers to donate $1,300 to all the high schools in the Shores and Pointes.

Registration is now open for the event July 21. For more information on how to participate, or volunteer, visit http://www.shorespointestri.com.