Sports

Prepare to Swim, Bike and Run in Westborough

Rotary club's 3rd annual triathlon is Sunday.

More than 400 people will swim, bike and run in Westborough on Sunday, and diabetes research and Rotary Club of Westborough causes will be among the winners.

The Rotarians and Sun Multisport Events will present the 3rd Annual Westborough Sprint Triathlon at 8 a.m. at the former Westborough State Hospital, off Lyman Street. The entry fee is $80 for individuals, and $150 for relay teams.

For the second straight year, the proceeds will benefit the American Diabetes Association, as well as scholarships and other efforts supported by the Westborough Rotarians.

Find out what's happening in Westboroughwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"The fundraiser is great, because we've found out that people will donate to the cause and actually run for the cause, too," event Chairman Gerry Gross says.

The triathlon is part of the club's efforts to promote awareness of diabetes among all ages.

Find out what's happening in Westboroughwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A free diabetes symposium will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Mill Pond School. Speakers will discuss early warning signs, nutrition and living with the disease. The club is sponsoring the event, with assistance from the diabetes association and Marlborough Hospital. The groups presented a similar seminar last September, Gross says.

Sunday's triathlon, meanwhile, is being held at the state hospital to "showcase that property off, because people don't really go over there," Gross says.

"It's a gorgeous field, almost like a country club," he says.

The competition starts with a quarter-mile swim in Lake Chauncy, followed by a 14-mile bike race and a 3-mile run.

Organizers expect 410 to 490 participants, and 900 to 1,000 spectators, Gross says.

Pre-registration is from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Westborough Tennis and Swim Club.

More volunteers are welcomed, he says. Interested readers may contact Event Volunteer Chairman Jim O'Connor at jo72149@verizon.net.

This year's Westborough triathlon is one Sunday later than its two predecessors.

The first two were held on the second Sunday in August, the same date of the Falmouth Road Race and the Sharon Triathlon.

"We were hoping that we would pick up some of those folks," Gross explains.

"But, come to find out that this week is also the national triathlon up in Vermont. So, we did lose some of the elite.

"Last year, we were sort of the prep for the bigger events. We still want to be that way."


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here