Penny's Pieathlon to be Held Saturday at the Waukee Family YMCA

Swimming, running, biking and...pie? Those are the four elements of the 6th annual Penny's Pieathlon being held at the Saturday beginning at 7:30 a.m.

What's a "pieathlon," you ask? It's a triathlon only better. Participants will do a 400 yard indoor swim, 12.2 mile bike ride and 5K run. They will also have the opportunity to choose between the Sprint TRI, a 5K run/walk or 10 mile bike ride. All participants get a piece of pie at the completion of their triathlon.

Penny's Pieathlon was created by Penny and Dave Milburn after Penny lost her mother and aunt to ovarian cancer. The couple not only wanted to raise money to support the fight against cancer, but they also wanted to educate others on how to reduce their risk of getting the disease themselves by staying active.  

On the event website, Dave Milburn said, “We love RAGBRAI, homemade pie and helping people for a good cause. After putting all these together, we came up with the idea of the Pieathlon. The purpose of the event is to have fun, promote healthy activities and raise money to fight cancer."

Amy Alden, public relations chair for Penny's Pieathlon, said the event raises money for the John Stoddard Cancer Center, Mercy Cancer Center, Live Well at the YMCA, and the Lance Armstrong Foundation. She said she hopes the event this year will raise $40,000 for the charities.

"We want to encourage everyone to come out to honor of someone affected by cancer," Alden said. "The purpose here really is to draw attention to the disease and it's something the whole family can do."

Alden said there is still time to sign up to participate. Registration will also be taken Saturday morning.

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6th Annual Penny's Pieathlon

Where: Waukee Family YMCA, 210 N. Warrior Lane

When: Saturday, May 19

6 a.m. - Doors open
7:30 a.m. - Tri starts  (Chip timing)
10 a.m. - Run starts, walkers follow (not timed)
10:15 a.m. - Bike ride starts, 12 miles (not timed)
10:30 a.m. - Tri route support ends
12 p.m. - Pieathlon closes

Register here. Cost to enter ranges from $30 to $120 to participate.