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Lake Sweetwater to host DF Ranch Triathlon |
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Written by Amanda Moreno
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Monday, 06 July 2009 |
The DF Ranch Triathlon will take place at Lake Sweetwater on July 25, 2009. Karly and David Bobo, a couple from Amarillo, TX, decided to put on the event to benefit Alzheimer's.
The triathlon will consist of a 500 meter swim in Lake Sweetwater, a 14 mile bike on FM 2035, and a 3.1 mile run. There is only room for 200 participants, and it is a USA Triathlon sanctioned event.
According to Karly, they would be excited with one hundred participants, but if she doesn't see that then she will wonder what else she could have done to get the word out and raise awareness.
"If we raise $1 and put on a good race then we will be happy. We want to make awareness for Alzheimers," David said.
There will be different age groups in the event. The youngest age group is 16 years old.
Karly and David have both run in triathlons before and throughout their experiences have seen good and bad races. According to them, two years ago they started thinking and planning, on having their own race. This January, they set a date to have the race.
According to them, their initial goal was to have a race in 2010, but events fell into place and timing seemed right. Recently, they became certified race directors. They are also serving as the President and Vice President of TriATX.
"We had been thinking about it, but just hadn't found the right motivation, and when David's grandfather passed, due to Alzheimers, we figured why not. It seemed to be the time to finally put one together," Karly Bobo said.
David's grandparents have had a ranch and lake house, in Sweetwater, since the fifties. For the past few years, Karly and David have been training in Sweetwater, during the summer, for other triathlons.
"Our main goal is not to make money, but to showcase Sweetwater and what it has to offer. We want to help expose people to Sweetwater," David Bobo said.
According to David, when it comes to planning a triathlon it is difficult to find an area that offers all the aspects that are needed. Sweetwater has all those aspects together — it has a great area for biking, swimming and running. There is just so much space.
"If people are looking for a great venue that's challenging, then Sweetwater is it. If there's one new race you come to, make it Sweetwater," Karly said.
David said that they have seen great support from the city. They have had the sheriff's office donate time to provide security for the race, and the local volunteer fire department has also volunteered up their time and assistance. They have acquired great sponsors for this event. The only expense so far has been renting the venue.
"We have had a good response from the community. It seems that they have done everything they can to help out. If they didn't have an answer they would go out and find it," Karly said.
Karly said that she wanted to let people know that this race will be top notch on safety. They are bringing in a race company that will set up check points throughout the race to make sure all participants are accounted for, at all times. They will also be using CHIP timing during the event.
"When people leave the event we want them to say, this was a neat venue and be asking what date it will be next year. We also want to make sure that they have a good time," Karly said.
According to David, all finishing participants will receive a stainless steel water bottle. It is their way of raising awareness of Alzheimers.
"Studies have shown that stainless steel has been proven to slow the affects of Alzheimers, in those that are prone to it," David said.
The event is a family affair according to Karly and David. David will be acting as Overall Race Director. Karly will be the swim coordinator, her uncle will be coming in to be the bike coordinator and her sister will coordinate the running portion.
David and Karly want to encourage everyone in the community to come out and attend. They want people to just come out and see what it's all about. They are also opening an invitation to all triathletes to sign up for the race, and anyone and everyone in the community to volunteer.
According to David, they are wanting cheerleaders, churches, and individuals to come out and help out. All volunteers will receive a t-shirt.
"Our main hope from the community is to have a great volunteer response. Some kids have already expressed interest in helping out and the people at the bait shop have been more than helpful," Karly said.
David and Karly said that they are wanting people to understand that this is for Alzheimers research and the Alzheimer's Association Texas Star Chapter will be on hand at the event, trying to help raise awareness.
"We are hoping to make this an annual event if all goes well. We are doing this to showcase Sweetwater and bring some extra revenue to the community," Karly said.
According to studies done, in other areas that have had triathlons, their revenue during that time increased. People are coming in and spending money at restaurants and hotels.
The Community Outreach flyer, put out by the USA Triathlon, a study shows for a race with 500 participants it brings about $37,500, with an average spending of about $75 a day. For 1000 spectators is brings in about $40,000. This would bring a total of $77,500 just in one weekend. These numbers are based on a bigger race, but just looking at the numbers, one can see the kind of impact that a race can have on the communities economy, according to David.
For more information, to register, or to volunteer, visit www.fastfeetracing.com or contact Karly and David Bobo at 806-324-7279. |
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 26 July 2009 )
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