Buster Britton Triathlon marks 32nd year

The Buster Britton Triathlon will be hosted at Oak Mountain State Park for the 32nd year on June 9.

The race includes a 400-yard swim, 12 miles of cycling and a 3-mile run. It is named in honor of local triathlete Buster Britton, who lost his life in a fun run after completing the Hawaii Ironman.

Faye Yates of Team Magic, which organizes the triathlon, said this year’s event will have the same swimming and cycling courses, but the run has been moved to a paved course through the park. Yates said the run was partially on off-road trails in the past three years, including a loop around Double Oak Lake, but a vote from participants showed a preference for staying on pavement. 

“There’s not any dirt trail action; it’s all on the roads,” she said.

Yates said Double Oak Lake is an ideal triathlon lake because it is calm and easy for infrequent swimmers to cross.

“Oak Mountain State Park is just this unbelievable resource to the Birmingham area,” Yates said. “Having that beautiful, calm lake is really a nice feature.”

Team Magic is anticipating 350 to 400 participants in this year’s run, and the typical demographic is triathletes ages 35-50.

The Buster Britton Triathlon starts at 7 a.m. Registration is $75 for individuals, $120 for a two-person relay or $135 for a three-person relay through June 6. On race day, the fee increases to $85 for individuals, $130 for a two-person team and $145 for a three-person team. The registration includes park entry fee.

Find a race map and more information at team-magic.com/events/116.

Buster Britton Triathlon

WHEN: June 9, 7 a.m.

WHERE: Oak Mountain State Park

DETAILS: $75 individuals, $120 two-person relay, $135 three-person relay through June 6. Fees increase on race day.