Athletes to Compete in Tri to Benefit Kids

Saturday morning marks the fourth annual Greater Nashua Tri to be held in Lake Naticook and through the streets of Merrimack.

This sprint-style triathlon starts with a third of a mile swim in the lake, followed by a 16-mile bike ride and closing out with a 5K run.

While travel is permitted on the event roads, the course will likely create at least some traffic delays in spots around town, so plan ahead.

The swim is at Camp Sargent, and when bikers take off from there, they will travel south onto Camp Sarget Road. A large lollipop style loop will be ridden twice by each rider during the event. It travels along Camp Sarget, and Tinker roads as well as Continental Boulevard, Industrial Drive, Daniel Webster Highway, and Manchester Street.

The final portion of the three-part race, the run, will travel down Camp Sargent, Tinker and Naticook road as well as on Continental Boulevard. Please stay alert for runners along the race route. Give them a cheerful beep and a wave even if you spot them.

This year's Triathlon, like year's past, sold out at 450 slots available, a larger number than has been alotted in the first three years.

This family-friendly event will also have a little something for the kids with bounce houses and clowns at Camp Sarget, where it all begins and ends.

All the proceeds from this race go to two youth-related causes, the YMCA Strong Kids Program and the Child Advocacy Center of Hillsborough County. The Strong Kids Program provides free services to children and families in need of financial support, helping children learn how to read, write, swim, and more. The Child Advocacy Center provides free counseling and protective services for children, from infancy to 17, who are victims of physical and sexual abuse. 

Best of luck to all the athletes that will race at this year's triathlon. Share your photos post-event in Merrimack Patch's Community Gallery!