By Morgan Van Wagoner
PARK CITY - Utah''s first Ironman-length off-road triathlon will take place this Friday, July 11, with over 140 athletes traveling 115 miles by swimming, mountain biking, and run ning.
The Mountain Extreme Triathlon is scheduled to begin at 6 a.m. Racers have 24 hours to complete the course.
Many competitors who will be racing have not experienced an event quite like this one.
'My goal in this is really just to finish the race,' BYU alumnus Tyler Smith said.
Smith, who said he has always been active, heard about the MXT from a triathlon newsletter.
'I have never done a full Ironman,' Smith said. 'This one just sounded like it was different enough and challenging enough that I thought, ''let''s just give it a shot.'''
The race should be quite a challenge.
Competitors will start in the 70-degree water of Jordanelle Reservoir for a 2.4-mile swim, followed by a 112-mile bike ride over Summit County''s nearest peaks, for about 8500 feet of uphill riding.
Racers must finish the biking section of the race by 10 p.m., guaranteeing many after-dark trail running. The last part of the triathlon is a 26.2-mile run (a marathon) through the Park City area.
Race Director Bryant Christensen said he sees the race as the next challenge for multisport athletes who have completed several long-distance races.
'People who have done a couple Ironman events are wondering, ''Well, what''s next?''' Christiansen said. 'People who have been racing Xterra ask, ''Could I do more?'' The Mountain Extreme is the answer to these questions.'
For those less inclined to enter the race but interested in watching the event, volunteers can register to help at a number of different stations. Jobs range from the highly qualified Course Marshall to the more intimate wetsuit peeler. Interested individuals can sign up at www.mxtri.com.