June 30 is the next deadline for registering the
34th Annual Open Options Shawnee Mission Triathlon & Duathlon. The event will take place Sunday, July 8, in Shawnee Mission Park, and participants are asked to enter through The Theatre in the Park entrance at 7710 Renner Road, Shawnee. As a result of this event, Shawnee Mission Park will not open for public use until noon on this date.
This will be the sixth year the event is sponsored by Open Options as our title sponsor. Open Options is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides programs, services, and resources for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the greater Kansas City area. For more information, visit www.openoptionskc.org
With a Short Triathlon Course, a Long Triathlon Course, and a Duathlon Course, this USAT sanctioned event offers something for every athlete ranging in experience from first-timer to the seasoned veteran. The event is open to all individuals, ages 15 and older with participants competing in five-year age groups from 16 years old to 80 and older. The USA Triathlon Paratriathlon Committee has designate this event as “Paratriathlon Friendly.”
The Triathlon Long Course consists of a 1,000-meter swim, followed by an 18-mile bike, and a 4.5-mile run inside Shawnee Mission Park. The Triathlon Short Course consists of a 500-meter swim, followed by a 9-mile bike, and a 3.1-mile run. The duathlon consists of a 3.1-mile run and a 13.5-mike bike, followed by another 3.1-mile run.
For more information or to register, go to
runsignup.com. Registration fees for the three events are each different, but share deadlines. The fees for the Triathlon Long Course through June 30 are $95 for individuals (including challenged, Athena, and Clydesdale athletes) and $120 for two- or three-person teams. After June 30, the entry fee increases to $105 for individuals and $130 for teams through midnight on July 5.
For the Triathlon Short Course, fees until June 30 are $85 for individuals (including challenged, Athena, and Clydesdale athletes) and $115 for two- or three-person teams. After June 30, the entry fee increases to $95 for individuals and $125 for teams through July 5.
For the Duathlon, fees until June 30 are $75 for individuals (including challenged, Athena, and Clydesdale athletes) and $105 for two- or three-person teams. After June 30, the entry fee increases to $85 for individuals and $115 for teams through July 5.
In addition to the above fees, runners who are not members of USA Triathlon (USAT) must pay a $15 daily user fee or purchase an annual membership for $50.
As part of registration, triathlon participants will join a team on the Open Options team captain page. Team captains, who represent the people served by Open Options, provide encouragement, inspiration, and gratitude to their team members through emails, videos, and social media. Also, they will be present on event day to meet their teams and hand out finisher medals.
Every participant who registers by June 29 will be guaranteed a T-shirt, swim cap, and a finisher’s medal. Individual prizes will be awarded to the top three male, female, and team overall finishers in each of the courses. Individual awards will be presented to the top three athletes of each age division.
Friday packet pickup for participants will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on July 6, at Endurance House KC, 8940 N. Skyview Ave, Kansas City, Mo. Saturday packet pickup for participants will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. on July 7 at Shawnee Mission Park in the marina parking lot at the registration tent. Race day packet pickup is for out-of-town triathletes only and will take place from 5 to 6:30 a.m. at the registration tent. On Saturday at 3 p.m., an orientation session will be held and is recommended for new athletes and anyone who would like to learn more about the course and event day details.
The Open Options Shawnee Mission Triathlon is a special event of the Johnson County Park & Recreation District and its title sponsor, Open Options. Other sponsors include: DEG, Endurance House, Finan Chiropractic, Academy Sports Outdoors, UMB, KC Multisport, TRiKC, Natural Grocers, Papa Murphy’s, and Hiland Dairy.