Triathlon To Pump Up the Shores

Athletes will be challenged on the lake and on land this summer during a new sporting event coming to St. Clair Shores. 

Residents of the Shores, Grosse Pointes  and beyond will have an opportunity to challenge themselves, support their local high school athletic programs and promote their communities at the Shores Pointes Adventure Triathlon on July 16.

Co-coordinators Marianne Beach-Langlois and Lynda Charow announced registrations are now open for the inaugural event that will have its headquarters at .

Rather than the traditional swim, the USA Triathlon sanction event starts with a 2.1-mile kayak event at the park, followed by a 13.4 mile bike race before bringing the athletes back to Blossom Heath for a 5K run.

Organizers are also going to all of the local high schools to encourage each school to enter a relay team in the triathlon. Charow, special projects producer for the city of Dearborn and an independent producer, explained that has two goals for the event.

“One was to have an incredible athletic event here," she said. "The other was to bring attention to the St. Clair Shores area and the wonderful businesses that we have.”

The organizers stated their goal is to have 250 registered contestants, which could have a big impact on the local community.

Beach-Langlois said that an economic study done by Dr. Daniel Stynes at Michigan State University, found the triathlon is expected to draw between 2,500 and 3,000 people and generate $50,000 in economic activity.

To bring added attention to the event, the changed the date of their annual Aquafest to coincide with the event. This year it will run from Thursday, July 14, through Sunday, July 17.

The event’s gold sponsor is Henry Ford Health System and organizers are actively seeking additional sponsors. Volunteers are also needed. Anyone who wants to lend a hand can go to shorespointtri@hfhs.org.

“My goal in organizing this event was to promote Henry Ford’s services that we have for the Shores/Pointes communities ... along with promoting good health practices,” explained Beach-Langlois, administrator for the Department of Family Medicine at Henry Ford Health Systems.

Tim Focht, owner of on Jefferson said he will be on hand to help bike race participants check and adjust their bikes.

“It’s a good event and I really enjoy helping out the community,” said Focht.

There will be other races that that can be done as an individual or as a team, such as a duathlon, which is a 5K run followed by the bike race, followed by another 5K run; or a 5K run/walk alone.

A spaghetti dinner is planned for Friday, July 15, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Henry Ford Medical Center Cottage. Proceeds generated by dinner donations will go the center’s Department of Pediatrics Autism Program.

The Shores Pointes Adventure Triathlon kicks off at 7 a.m. July 16 at Blossom Heath Park. Those who wish to compete can go to shorespointestri.com to register. Fees are $65 for an individual triathlon; $135 for a relay team and $25 for an individual 5K walk or run. All profits will be divided equally among the Shores and Pointes high school athletic programs including , , , Liggett, Grosse Pointe North and Grosse Pointe South.