OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Local public safety officials are asking motorists to take caution and be aware of triathlon athletes when driving Sunday morning.
The Challenge Family Race series, which recently merged with Revolution3, is bringing the fourth annual Challenge Maine triathlon to Old Orchard Beach this weekend.
Festivities were scheduled to begin Friday with activities at the Challenge Maine Expo in Veterans Memorial Park and the Glow Run 5K and one mile fun run.
Events continue Saturday with activities at the Challenge Maine Expo including the Kids Zone from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and a worst wetsuit contest at 1 p.m.
The triathlon will begin early Sunday morning with a swim in Old Orchard Beach. The second stretch of the race is the bicycle course, which runs through Saco, Dayton, Lyman, Waterboro, Hollis and Old Orchard Beach, accord- ing to a press release from the Town of Old Orchard Beach and Challenge Maine. The run will be a “flat and fast course” that will take athletes over part of the Eastern Trail and finish in downtown Old Orchard Beach, according to the press release.
The Olympic distance race will consist of a .9 mile swim, 24.8 mile bicycle ride and a 6.2 mile run. The half distance race will consist of a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bicycle ride and a 13.1 mile run.
The press release said to expect traffic delays on Sunday from 7-11:30 a.m. at Portland Avenue and Staples Street, and the town is encouraging travelers to seek alternate routes.
During this time, Cascade Road will be closed from Ross Road to Route One to local traffic only.
The Saco Police Department has posted online that they expect traffic delays between 6 a.m. and noon Sunday. Impacted areas include Route One at Flag Pond Road, Jenkins Road at Flag Pond Road, Buxton Road at Jenkins Road, Buxton Road at Louden Road, Route Five at Louden Road, Route 117 at Buxton Road and McKenney Road at Grant Road.
Police suggest people traveling in these areas seek an alternate route.
Many volunteers have signed up to help out at the triathlon, and Challenge Maine will donate $15 for each volunteer shift worked to a charity of the volunteer’s choice.
“Our races can only happen because of the volunteers who give their time to help us make every event a success,” said Operations Director Eric Opdyke in a prepared statement.
Held in conjunction with the Maine Challenge Triathlon is the sheJAMS Triathlon, a women’s charitable race which will benefit the Make-A-Wish foundation.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].
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