Jon Johnson File Photo/Gila Herald: Matalyah Bretz, center, shown with sisters, Charissa, left, and Kaeleah Bretz, is a past top finisher. The Jim Brinkerhoff Varsity Scout Triathlon returns Saturday, April 21.
By Jon Johnson
PIMA – When an event is as successful as the Varsity Scout Triathlon, it’s really just a formality when race director Mons Larson appears in front of the Pima Town Council to ask permission to have the race in town.
Larson was rubber-stamped by the council at its Tuesday night meeting and given its whole-hearted blessing. This year, the 28th annual Jim Brinkerhoff Varsity Scout Triathlon will take place Saturday, April 21, starting at 7 a.m. with all racers finished by noon. Last year, the event registered 1,750 participants and this year hopes to reach its maximum capacity of 2,000 for its 75-yard swim in the Pima Pool, 6-mile bicycle ride and 1.6-mile run through town. Bicycle staging and the race start and finish are located at the Dan Hinton School at 164 West 400 South in Pima.
On race weekend, the population of Pima nearly doubles with the number of racers and associated people in town and brings a nice economic boost to local merchants and restaurants.
The event is more than just a race, however, and is a two-day festival that features a Friday night dance. There is free camping at the Vard Lines Roping Arena/Baseball Fields. Attendees can check in Friday night from 5 to 9:30 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ meeting house along U.S. Highway 70 at 50 South 100 West in Pima.
The race is a great event for youth ages 11 and up but all are welcome, including men and women, boys and girls, scouts and non-scouts. Recently more girls and women have been participating in the event and taking bragging rights back to their areas. The event is popular throughout the state and sees a high number of participants from the Phoenix and Tucson areas.
For more information or to register for the event click here.
