Triathletes, Paddleboarders Converge on Mercer Island This Sunday

Escape From the Rock Triathlon:

Now running for 17 years, the "sprint distance" race begins with a half-mile swim in Lake Washington at Luther Burbank Park, starting at 8 a.m. Then racers will take a 12-mile out-and-back bike ride in the closed-to-traffic express lanes of I-90. Finally, a 2.5-mile run will take place along the I-90 trail through Mercer Island. The event is limited to 800 participants, and benefits the Mercer Island HS Girls Swim Teams and the Kentridge HS Water Polo Team.

The event is also sponsored in part by the city of Mercer Island. For more information about the race, check the Escape From the Rock event page.

Round the Rock (stand-up paddleboard race):

The 5th annual Round the Rock event is a stand-up paddleboard race starting in Seward Park in Seattle, with the main event a 13-mile race around Mercer Island, beginning at 9 a.m. All paddlers in the 13-mile race will be competing for $10,000 in prize money in the unique “Sweep or Weep” format in which various board length classes try to steal the purse from those on longer boards. This is an Officially Sanctioned National Event by The Word Paddle Association, so all members receive points in the worldwide scoring system.

The 2013 Round the Rock is a non-profit event and all net proceeds go to Athletes for Cancer. This terrific organization offers adventure-based experiences such as surfing, outrigger canoeing, standup paddling, skiing and snowboarding, to young cancer survivors as channels of healing, achievement and life-renewal that treat the mind, body, and soul.

For more information about the race, check the 2013 Round the Rock event page.