Organizers are trying to get a new triathlon in Willow Creek up
and running.
The first Disabled American Veterans 2006 Willow Creek Triathlon
will be held Aug. 5 from Allegany State Park to the Willow Creek
park area. Doug Yohe came up with the idea for the event, which
will benefit the Disabled American Veterans.
“It’s just an idea I had,” Yohe said. “It spawned from the
Kinzua Walleye Association – no pun intended. I fish walleye
tournaments with the Kinzua Walleye Association … and they benefit
the disabled veterans.”
That’s when Yohe started to think what could be done to raise
more money for the disabled veterans and the idea of the triathlon
was born.
The race will start on the beach of Quaker Lake with the first
event being a 300-yard swim in the lake. Then, participants will
bike 15 miles from Quaker Lake to the Corydon Hotel. From there,
the last event will be a three-mile run from the Corydon Hotel to
the Willows.
Yohe said a rules meeting for participants will be held at 9
a.m., followed by the blessing of the participants. The first heat
will take off at 9:30 a.m. with four or five minutes in between
each of the age groups.
Pre-registration is available up to the day of the event. Entry
forms available by calling the Willows or contacting Lanny Layton.
Participants can also register at Quaker Lake between 8 and 9 a.m.
the day of the race.
“You can sign up as an individual and do all the events, or you
can sign up as a three-person team with each member doing a leg of
the event,” Yohe said.
Yohe said there is an entry fee for all participants, which
includes food for the day and T-shirts with the DAV 2006 Willow
Creek Triathlon logo.
“We’re hoping to bring in 80 to 100 people to get involved in
it,” Yohe said. “Not only are we hoping to benefit the veterans,
but we’re hoping to bring attention to our area. Ours has to be one
of the most scenic triathlon tracks laid out.”
Yohe said an organization by the name of Run High will be in
charge of timing the event, placing computers chips on people that
participate. He said the chips will automatically register their
time when they cross a mat at the finish line. He said the rest is
done by a committee in charge of the event, and local businesses
such as the Bradford Regional Medical Center and Northwest Savings
Bank among others are sponsoring the event.
Yohe said awards will be given at the Willows following the
event. He said in addition to the top three, prizes will be awarded
to such teams as the oldest combined team, youngest combined team
and all female team. He said there will also be a band outside and
food for sale along with drink specials.
“We’re going to do awards at 1 (p.m.), but if the triathlon ends
earlier, we could start earlier,” Yohe said. “The band will be
playing for four or five hours outside, and the public is
encouraged to attend.”
The event is free to the public. Yohe said there will also be
door prizes.
Yohe also said an ATA bus will be available at the Willows to
shuttle participants back to their vehicles.
