Photo courtesy of Sports in Motion Photography.
Runners, bikers and swimmers will return to Oak Mountain State Park for the annual Buster Britton Triathlon.
The Bike Link Buster Britton Memorial Triathlon — one of the oldest triathlons in the country, according to organizers — is scheduled to return to Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham on June 11 starting at 7 a.m. The competition, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, includes a 400-yard swim, 12-mile bike ride and 3-mile run.
Britton, whom the event honors, was one of the Birmingham area’s original triathletes but died of a heart attack in 1985 during a fun run immediately after completing the Hawaii Ironman.
The Britton Memorial, first held in 1986, is “unique” because it has lasted for three decades, according to Kelly Hagerty, customer relations manager for event managers Team Magic Inc. The event is also “inspiring because the event distance welcomes the beginner, yet it is also a challenge for experienced racers,” she said. For example, the swim is held in Double Oak Lake, which is calm, and the bike race and run are both held on safe, quiet, well-paved roads in the park, according to the event website.
Britton, the website says, was “a true inspiration” for Alabama triathletes as the sport began to gain a foothold here. There are still people in the triathlon community who knew or remember Britton, and the event is certainly a special one for those who knew him best, according to Hagerty. “Some of his family members attend the event each year,” she said. “It is a great memorial for them.”
The event raises money for some local causes, including a Boy Scout troop, some community groups and some high school athletic teams, according to Hagerty.
Registration is held at the Oak Mountain State Park administration office on June 10, from 5-7 p.m., and on race day from 5:30-6:30 a.m.
Organizers will offer a race overview at Oak Mountain State Park on Friday at 6 p.m. and encourage all beginners to attend.
For more information, go to team-magic.com/events/61 or facebook.com/busterbrittontri.
To ask questions about the event, email races@team-magic.com.
