River Action's Taming of the Slough adventure triathlon is Saturday, Sept. 28th, at the Bass Street YMCA. For over 15 years, the environmental non-profit has been bringing community and awareness of our ecology to the Quad Cities.
River Action Event Director Chris True says that this year, the non-profit is adding a $250 prize for the men's and women's overall winners.
"So that's very exciting for those real athletes that are coming out to bring that extra competitive edge out. Super excited about that, True said in an interview with WVIK.
The adventure triathlon can be completed individually, with a two-person team or a three-person team. The participant must acquire the equipment, including helmets, bikes, and canoes. River Action's website has a list of kayak and canoe rentals.
"And this is a great opportunity to say, 'Oh, hey, friend, can I borrow your kayak? Hey, can I try your bike?' So it's a great opportunity for people to try new things as well as meeting people," True said.
River Action Program Manager Ashley Hamerlinck says the event already has more than 50 people signed up to participate, which is more than last year's total turnout. She hopes this year's turnout doubles.
The Taming of the Slough starts at the Bass Street YMCA, 1701 1st Ave. Moline, IL, promptly at 8 a.m. Participants paddle in the Sylvan Slough for 2.5 miles before biking another 2.5 miles to Sylvan Island on a paved road. Then, the race turns into mountain biking for an additional five miles on the island. The race continues with a two-mile run to Rock Island Arsenal Island.
Tickets for one person to participate are $35 and up to $75 if applying for a three-person team. Participants can apply on River Action's website or register in person on the morning of the adventure triathlon before 7:30 a.m. The money is used to support the non-profit projects, but True says the event on Sept. 28th is to bring people together.
"These fun events that we do like Taming and Floatzilla, they're more just to get people outside appreciating the water and the community and just creating that desire and awareness to enjoy what we have right here, which is the Mississippi," True said. "And the thought behind that is if we can get people enjoying these events because they're fun and they're social events, then that'll help people get behind the environmental aspects, the preservation, and just help build that culture of protecting what we have right here. So the more people use it, the more hopefully then they will think, 'Okay, let's preserve it, let's take care of it.'"
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