The Lifestyles Realtors’ Beaches Fine Arts Sprint Triathlon Series has been tapped to host the Inaugural USAT Sprint Grand Prix scheduled for June 10.. This designation means that athletes competing in the scheduled June race will have an opportunity to qualify for the USAT National Age-Group Championship in Kansas City, Mo., on July 8.
According to Rebecca Meyer, USAT’s Regional Director, Jacksonville’s bid surpassed numerous other qualified applicants thanks to “its high standards of excellence in running a race, adherence to USAT guidelines and the use of USAT race officials to guarantee a safe and fair race.”
The 2006 event marks the 20th anniversary of the local race series.
May 13, June 10 and July 8 are the dates for the BFAS Triathlon Series. June 10 was chosen as the Grand Prix race in order to take advantage of optimal weather conditions that are the norm for that time of year. The course will remain the same as in previous years, beginning with a quarter-mile swim in the ocean followed by an 11.5 mile bike race and culminates with a 3.1 mile run. The starting area, which is also where the athletes transition from one segment of the race to the next, is at Mickler’s Landing in Ponte Vedra Beach.
More information is at the BFAS Web site: www.beachesfinearts.org.
For the past 20 years, BFAS has hosted the triathlon as the major formal fundraiser for its non-profit series of eight free concerts and visual art shows that it presents to the communities of northeast Florida from September through April.
Last year BFAS added a ninth free concert billed as “Beach Meets West,” which will always be offered at a venue west of the Intracoastal Waterway. The other concerts are presented at St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Jacksonville Beach and include educational outreach for children of Duval County Schools.
In 2003, Lifestyles Realtors became the title sponsor of the race.