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Annual Galloway Captiva Triathlon still taking registrations

By Staff | Jul 24, 2019

Spaces are still available in the Galloway Captiva Triathlon for the adult and youth activities.

Organized by the local non-profit corporation Southwest Florida Events, the annual event will take place on Sept. 7-8 on the grounds of the South Seas Island Resort and surrounding areas. First held in 2011, it raises funds for Community Cooperative’s Growing Healthy Kids and Mobile Food Pantry.

In total, the event has raised about $211,500 for Community Cooperative over the years.

The idea behind its inception was to bring a quality lifestyle activity to the area.

“To promote fitness and family involvement in our community,” Race Director Angie Ferguson said.

Another aim behind its creation was to help raise monies for another non-profit organization that aligned with the values of the event organizers, which was found in Community Cooperative.

Last year, a total of 500 people took part in the adult and youth events combined.

New for 2019, the Galloway Captiva Triathlon will be held on Saturday, followed by the Galloway Captiva Triathlon Splash n’ Dash Kids Race on Sunday – a scheduling flip from previous years.

Both events are sanctioned by USA Triathlon, and participants must be members or obtain a one-day waiver. Information about purchasing the waiver can be found on the website when signing up.

As of July 18, there were about 100 triathlon slots left and 50 openings in the youth race.

“As soon as it fills out, it will be done,” Ferguson said.

Adult participants must sign up by Aug. 31 to receive an official event shirt.

If there are still spaces, registrations will be taken up through the event weekend.

On Sept. 7, the first wave of the Galloway Captiva Triathlon will hit the water at 7:15 a.m.

“It’s exactly the same route it’s been the last eight years,” she said.

The course will consist of a quarter-mile or 440-yard swim in the Gulf of Mexico, just offshore from the northern end of the resort; a 10-mile bike ride along the paved roads of Captiva; and a 5K run along the Gulf, Redfish Pass and South Seas’ golf course on a combination course of hard sand and pavers.

The entry fees are $210 for a team relay and $95 or $105 for an individual.

“We’re giving three deep in every age group, elite and relay,” Ferguson said of the awards.

All of the finishers will receive custom medals. With today’s focus on conservation, they will be made of recycled wood, she noted. Lee County craftsman Randy Johnson is creating the unique medals.

Another first this year, participants will have a chance to win raffle prizes.

“We will be randomly calling race numbers, so their race number is their raffle number,” Ferguson said. “So they just need to be present to win.”

Some of the items up for grabs will include running shoes, spa certificates, jewelry and food certificates, along with a three-day two-night stay at the South Seas Island Resort.

On Sept. 8, the Splash n’ Dash Kids Race will start at about 7 a.m.

The youth event is broken down into age categories:

  • Ages 6-8: 100-yard swim and half-mile run
  • Ages 9-10: 100-yard swim and one-mile run
  • Ages 11-13: 200-yard swim and one-mile run

Unlike previous years, the course will not include a biking portion.

“It’s a newer initiative that USA Triathlon is trying to promote,” she said, explaining that participation was declining among the former events because of the need for equipment – a bike – to take part.

“So it’s a swim and a run,” Ferguson added. “All contained within the resort.”

The entry fee is $40 to sign up.

All participants will receive an award and a visor.

“We don’t do (placement) awards with the kids, because we just want to encourage everybody to get out there and participate and have fun,” Ferguson said.

Spectators are welcome to come out and root on the participants.

Both they and the participants are reminded that Captiva Drive will close at 6:45 a.m., so everyone will need to be at the north end before 6:30 a.m. or they will be unable to take part in or watch the events.

“They just need to make sure that they’re early,” she said.

Galloway Family of Dealerships is the title sponsor and sponsor for the Galloway Captiva Triathlon. The Gunter Firm is the sponsor for the Galloway Captiva Triathlon Splash n’ Dash Kids Race.

People are encouraged to register.

“It is simply the best sprint triathlon on the Gulf Coast,” Ferguson said. “And you’re doing something amazing for yourself and raising money for your community.”

For more information or to register, visit www.captivatri.org.