The 23rd Warsaw Optimist Triathlon will take place June 25 in Winona Lake. (File photo by Mike Deak)

WINONA LAKE – The Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club is again sponsoring the Warsaw Triathlon, entering its 23rd year, with an 8 a.m. start time Saturday, June 25, at Winona Lake Park.

The event is sanctioned by USA Triathlon and is part of the Mideast Triathlon Club Race series. Mideast Club members will be able to earn points for their club at the Optimist Triathlon.

USAT age division assignments will be determined by age as of Dec. 31 of the event year, not by age on race day. Minimum age for entry is 15 before Dec. 31, 2015. This applies to a solo triathlete or as a member of a team. Age divisions start at 15 years old and go as high as 85-plus.

There is a youth race, which will have children ages 11-14 eligible, where participants must perform individually. The youth triathlon is for experience only, and prizes will be awarded as such. The courses will be reduced for the youth divisions.

The adult course will have swimmers start on the banks of Winona Lake and swim an eighth of a mile to a marker and back to shore. Biking is 13.8 miles and includes a few hills on the journey to Pierceton and back, which for this year will also include parts of the Grace College bike path. Bike helmets are required and must by ANSI approved. The run is 3.7 miles with a couple of hills along the Greenway Trail, including the new Greenway stretch towards Southtown.

This year the triathlon is also allowing a kayak, bike and run option. Rather than working the quarter-mile swim, participants can kayak the quarter mile, return the kayak to the shoreline, and continue with the race. The kayaking will be held on a separate portion of the lake away from the sprint swimmers.

The 2015 triathlon winners were Brad McCracken for the men at 1:08:24 and Jennifer Zimmer for the women at 1:17:51.

Registration must be done before the day of the race. Information can be found from the Warsaw Breakfast Optimists, notably race coordinator Ron Donkers, who can be reached at [email protected]. Race information, which includes rules and USAT bylaws, can be found online at triathlon.warsawoptimist.org.