Chamber to go the (shorter) distance for sprint triathlon

The Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce will hold a triathlon and duathlon Sunday, May 6, but to participate, you don’t need to be in the race for the long-haul: This race is so short, you could participate and keep your plans for Sunday brunch.

The Longboat Key Triathlon & Duathlon Race Series Sprint will begin at 7 a.m. Sunday, May 6, behind the Islandside gates of the Longboat Key Club and Resort.

With just a quarter-mile swim, 12-mile bike and three-mile run for triathletes and a one-mile run, 12-mile bike and three-mile run for duathletes, chamber President Tom Aposporos estimates that the last competitor will be off the course an hour-and-a-half after the race’s start.

The May triathlon/duathlon is a first for the chamber.

After two successful international-distance races held in October 2010 and October 2011, chamber officials decided to add the shorter race in May.

“I believe there’s real value to doing a shorter event in the spring because it may cause people to begin training for the October event,” Aposporos said.

The spring event could also introduce participants to the area that may return during the summer added Aposporos.

The chamber will still go the distance for its international distance race, scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 28.

To register, go to lbktriseries.com. For information, call 809-8996.

And, if you’re not as athletically inclined, the chamber is still looking for volunteers to help with the event. Call the chamber office at 383-2466 or email [email protected].