Prior Lake, Minnesota - Registration is now open for Dakotah! Sport and Fitness’ Sixth Annual Indoor Triathlon. The event, which is open to the public, will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2008, with a Kid's Triathlon on April 11, 2008. A team event will again be offered. Since the event will be held indoors, the competition is structured differently than a typical triathlon. The events are timed, and participants are judged on the total distance they complete in the allotted time period. The three stages of the event for adults are a 7-minute swim, a 30-minute stationary cycle ride, and a 20- minute run or walk on the indoor track. The team event will consist of the same three components with longer times: 10-minute swim, 40-minute stationary cycle ride, and a 30-minute run or walk and can include two to three different individuals completing all three stages. Only the adults’ triathlon is open to the public.

The field of up to 60 participants will be divided into heats of four participants that will rotate through the three events. In addition, up to 12 teams of two to three members each can also compete in the triathlon. The deadline for registering is April 4, 2008, and the fee is $25 for DSF members and $35 for non-DSF members. The team event registration is $60 and $10 extra for each nonmember. Registration may be done online (www.dakotahsport.com) or by calling 952-445-9400. Participants will receive a t-shirt, and the top three male and female finishers will receive awards. The first place team will receive an award as well.

"This is a unique format so that any level of fitness can compete. Judging is based on cumulative distance to accommodate all fitness levels. It's set up that way to get more people involved," explained Dakotah! Sport and Fitness Director Tad Dunsworth. "We believe opening the field up to the public will add some excitement and variety to the competition.”

For the third year Dakotah! will sponsor a Kid's Indoor Triathlon on Friday, April 11, 2008, but this event is for members only, and registration will be capped at 50. Children as young as four and up to age 10 will compete in three age groups with varying requirements for bike (or trike for ages 4-6), run/walk, and swim. The registration fee is $15 and includes prizes and snacks. Children are asked to wear their swimsuit under their exercise clothing.

For more information about the triathlon, contact Dakotah! Fitness Assistant Director Renee Engmann at 952-496-6875 or go to www.dakotahsport.com.

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and Dakotah! Sport and Fitness will also sponsor the Dakotah! Sport and Fitness Lakefront Days Triathlon Saturday, August 2, 2008, in Prior Lake.

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