Longboat Key triathlon set for October

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce will hold the island's first triathlon in October.

The triathlon kicks off with a half-mile swim in the lagoon just south of the Longboat Key Club and Resort property, followed by a 20-mile bike ride along Gulf of Mexico Drive. The final leg of the race will be a five-mile run through the club’s property, with picturesque views of the grounds and golf course.

As many as 150 volunteers are needed in a variety of areas to help conduct a safe event. The endurance event starts at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct 24, at the Key Club. Between 600 and 800 people are expected to participate in the inaugural event.

The chamber hopes the triathlon eventually will draw as many as 1,500 participants and become one of the top triathlons in the country.

For information, visit www.longboatkeytriathlon.org or call Rhonda Coblentz, triathlon chair, at 504-9010 or the chamber at 383-2466.

Contact Loren Mayo at [email protected].