Pete Moye’
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The Triathlon Club here at Cerritos will soon have the chance to show off their skills and determination at the 2011 Playa del Rey Triathlon on Sunday, October 16th.
Christopher De Maree, computer science major and president of the Triathlon Club, explained the concept of the race.
“It’s a sprint triathlon consisting of an ocean swim, bicycling, and running. Each person takes one event,” he said.
“We have five relay teams, so we have about 17 people participating from the club. I’m probably going to participate in two parts in the event, biking and swimming.
“We’re just doing this to bond the team together, give people an idea of what it’s like,” De Maree added. “At the end of the year, we’re actually going to have everybody do the triathlon, but the whole thing by themselves, [no teams].”
The Playa del Rey course will have competitors swim 600 meters, bike 20 kilometers, and run five kilometers.
Preparation for the race included a practice relay Oct. 6.
“Today we’re doing a practice run for the triathlon,” Orlando Alfaro, kinesiology major and vice president of the Triathlon Club, said.
“We have the pool and other equipment here so those who want to practice swimming can do swimming, while those that want to run can run, and those who want to bike can bike.
“I just hope to see how everyone does. For most people it’s their first triathlon, and for others, it’s their first time ever doing something like this, so it’s really exciting and it’s a really good group unifier,” Alfaro added.
Alan Birdbear, biology major, explained his participation in the team and insight from his personal experience.
“I’m helping out some of the younger people or some people not familiar with the sport get into the sport because it’s really fun,” said Birdbear.
“My favorite part of the triathlon would have to be cycling, I love cycling. For me, personally, I think running is the most difficult part of the triathlon.”
The Playa Del Rey Triathlon is located at Dockweiler State Beach in Playa Del Rey.
The race will begin at 7:00 a.m. and will conclude at 9:30 a.m. with the awards ceremony.
