Tri Harder

Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, famed sprinter Jackie Joyner-Kersee, and Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps made their respective sports look easy. But combine all three activities, and you’ve got the mother of all fitness challenges – the triathlon. Locals will put their endurance to the test at the annual...

By Courtney McCune

June 30, 2011

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Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, famed sprinter Jackie Joyner-Kersee, and Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps made their respective sports look easy. But combine all three activities, and you’ve got the mother of all fitness challenges – the triathlon.

Locals will put their endurance to the test at the annual JCC Scottsdale Firecracker Adult & Youth Sprint Triathlon & Duathlon on Sunday, July 3. The multi-sport event includes a youth event kicking off with swimming laps at 5:30 a.m., followed by a miniature triathlon for adults and a maxi version that features a 500-yard swim, 12.6-mile bike ride, and two-mile run. Competitors who finish the race can be proud that they completed the Olympic-sized challenge (and didn’t pass out from heat stroke in the process).

The swim portion will take place at the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center Pool, located at 12701 North Scottsdale Road in Scottsdale, with the running and cycling portions happening in the neighborhood surrounding the center.

Sun., July 3, 5:30 a.m., 2011

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