The Barometer Online

Issue date: 4/6/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Cory Reed Swimmers wait in the Dixon Rec. pool before the second heat of the Beaver Freezer triathlon.

Triathlon participants rose early this year for the 17th annual Beaver Freezer Sprint Triathlon. The event, hosted Saturday by the OSU Triathlon Club, attracted athletes of all ages and fitness levels. A total of 342 individuals participated in the popular event, which attracts people from all over the Willamette Valley and out of state, all of whom come to the event for its tradition and appealing course.

The race began at the pool at Dixon Recreation Center and ended in the MU Quad. It consisted of 500 yards of swimming, 12 miles of biking and 3.1 miles of running.

The community event featured T-shirt sales and food for the public. At the end of the race an award ceremony was presented for participants. There was also a drawing for prizes from local businesses.

Some sponsors of the event included Bike N' Hike, Cyclotopia, Corvallis Cyclery, Hammer Nutrition, VitaWorld, New Morning Bakery, Fred Meyer, Great Harvest and Tribabe.com.

Being a sprint triathlon, the event was a much shorter distance than other triathlons. It was also hosted earlier in the season, when the weather was not as warm as it will be in later months.

"[The race is] really a good warm-up for the beginning of the season," said Triathlon Club president Ben Steyer. "People have kind of gotten used to it as a good event."

The Beaver Freezer has continued to be a fundraiser for the Triathlon Club. The proceeds go towards club trips for other races. The Club hopes to go to California for a race.

Race participants pay a $45 individual registration fee or an $80 dollar team registration fee to enter the race. The registration fee includes a T-shirt, a goody bag and eligibility for the post-race drawing.

Athletes entered the race for a variety of reasons, such as fun, prizes or competition,

Race participant Misty Unrau said she entered the race out of motivation to continue being healthy. She also hopes she will do better in the race this year than she did last year.

"I know I will not win," Unrau said. "[Winning is] not the goal, but I will finish."

Continued...

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