Event Description
35th Annual Open Options Shawnee Mission Triathlon & Duathlon
There are seven days in a week and “someday” isn’t one of them. Make the commitment to become a triathlete or duathlete today! The 35th Annual Open Options Shawnee Mission Triathlon & Duathlon takes place in Shawnee Mission Park and takes athletes throughout the most visited park in the state that serves as a 1,250-acre urban refuge. Additionally, the course joins the Mill Creek Streamway Trail offering asphalt pathways snaking along the stream and through hillside forests. With a Short Triathlon Course, a Long Triathlon Course, and a Duathlon Course, there is something for every athlete ranging in experience from first-timer to the seasoned veteran. The 2019 Open Options Shawnee Mission Triathlon & Duathlon is an USAT sanctioned event.
The Beneficiary: Open Options
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 about Open Options, visit www.openoptionskc.org
Pick a Team and Be Inspired by Your Team Captain!
As the final part of triathlon 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.
Join Us for a Fun and Friendly Fundraising Competition
A friendly fundraising competition among the seven teams is moderated by the team captains on the Open Options - Team Captain page.
You’re invited to make a donation toward your team’s goal of $1,000 and encourage your friends and family to do so, too. While not mandatory for participation, your donation is greatly appreciated –
100 percent of dollars raised go directly to Open Options and make a significant difference in the lives of people with disabilities.
COURSE OPTIONS
Triathlon - Olympic 1500 meter swim, 27 mile bike (6 laps), and a 6.2 mile run
Triathlon - Long
1000 meter swim, 18 mile bike (4 laps), and 4.5 mile run
Triathlon - Short
500 meter swim, 9 mile bike (2 laps), and 3.1 mile run
Triathlon - Super Sprint (athletes 11 and older) 200 meter swim, 4.5 mile bike (1 lap), and 2.25 mile run
**Triathlon courses (Olympic, Long and Short) will have the option of a Wave Start and a Time Trial Start. Please select which option you would like at registration. If you select Wave Start, you will be asked to provide an approximate swim time so we can seed you in waves. Super Sprint will have a time trial start. Teams will start in their chosen corral (wave or time trial).
Duathlon Course
3.1 mile run, 13.5 mile bike (3 laps), 3.1 mile run
The duathlon race begins on the main park road near the check-in tent. The run segments will take place on the main park road and the Mill Creek Streamway Trail. The first run course will be in a loop going in a counter clock wise direction, and the second run course will be the same loop but in a clock wise direction. The bike segment will consist of three laps around the park on the main park road.
USAT-Sanctioned Para Friendly Race
The Open Options Shawnee Mission Triathlon has again been designated by the USA Triathlon Paratriathlon Committee as “Paratriathlon Friendly”. Interested in learning more about this Paratriathlon friendly race or want to sign up? Contact Katy Renner at Kathryn.Renner@jocogov.org or 913-826-2964 for more information.
Athena and Clydesdale Categories
The triathlon races in this event hosts Athena divisions for women and Clydesdale divisions for men. The minimum weight for men is 220 pounds and for women is 165 pounds. The age categories for these divisions for men and women will be 39 years of age and under, and 40 years of age and over. Participants are not eligible to compete in these divisions and in an age group division at the same event.
