TRIATHLON AND OPEN WATER SWIM TO BE A TRULY
“INTERNATIONAL” AFFAIR
Blaine, WA
Jul 17, 2006 On Sunday August 13, 2006
Northwest athletes will be coming to Blaine,WA to
compete in an unusual international multisports
event. Triathletes and swimmers will race across the
49th parallel in open water – from Peace Arch Park,
BC, Canada to Semiahmoo Spit, Blaine, WA, USA. The
inaugural “Tri Without Borders” and “Swim without
Borders” are attracting interest and athletes from
all over North America. At stake for the triathletes
are free entries and travel to Cancun Mexico to race
in a November as part of the ITU World Cup. The
swimmers are competing to win entry into the world
famous “Waikiki Rough Water Swim – held in September
at Waikiki Beach Hawaii.
Over 500 athletes are expected to compete in the
three events of the weekend -- which include the
International Distance Triathlon, a 3,000 meter Open
Water Swim, and a Sprint Triathlon (held entirely in
the USA)
The international swim starts will begin on the
beach of Peace Arch Park. All athletes will pass
through USA customs in order to check in on the US
side and then walk though the park to compete. The
International Distance Triathlon swim (1680 meters)
will start at 8:30 AM and the Open Water Swim will
start at 8:40 AM. The Sprint Triathlon swim (500
meters) will start at Semiahmoo spit at 8:45 AM. The
finish of all swims will be next to Semiahmoo Resort
on Trillium/Syre property. The exceptional bike
course will take athletes around Birch Point and
back to Semiahmoo (either 13 miles or 20 miles). The
run will be an out-and-back run on the spit itself
(5K or 10K).
The international distance Triathlon is part of
the “Best of the US Amateur Triathlete
Championship”. The top two athletes from Washington
will be crowned “Best of the US – Washington.” They
will then go on to compete against the best 2
triathletes from each of the other 49 states at the
2006 Best of the US event in September.
This unique event has been made possible through
the generous support of the City of Blaine, Trillium
Corporation, David and Kay Syre, Semiahmoo Resort,
Northern Light Newspaper, ClifBar, Talking Rain and
Brooks Running. On water support is provided by the
Coast Guard Auxiliary. The event is produced by
Total Health Events, LLC of Blaine, Washington. The
events will USA Triathlon sanctioned and officiated.
For more information about registering or to
volunteer, go the website
www.triwithoutborders.com, or contact Total
Health Events, LLC at (360) 325-0715. There is no
extra charge for online registration. On site
registration will be available at Semiahmoo Resort
Saturday evening from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM. All
international distance triathletes must check in at
Semiahmoo Spit by 7:00 AM Sunday morning in order to
catch their bus transportation to the swim start
Open water simmers will check in at the Blaine Peace
Arch State park by 8:00 AM.
