By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
Time is running out to sign up for the 5th annual "Red, White and Bang" children’s triathlon — the signature fundraising event for Lawrence Township’s annual Fourth of July fireworks show — which is set for Labor Day.
The deadline to sign up for the triathlon is Aug. 20, said Steven Groeger, the township’s superintendent of recreation. Early registration is encouraged to assure a place in the competition, and to make sure that enough souvenir T-shirts are ordered.
About 50 children have signed up for the event, which is aimed at children from 6 years told to 16 years old, Mr. Groeger said. In addition, 31 children who participate in the Special Olympics New Jersey program have signed up. This is the second year that SONJ athletes have taken part in the event.
The event is a scaled-down version of a typical triathlon event for adults. It is divided into swimming, bicycling and running segments, Mr. Groeger said. It will be held at the Lawrence Swimming Association’s pool at 74 Craven Lane.
"Our objective is to provide healthy activities for children and to generate funds for the 2015 fireworks display," he said.
Participation is limited to the first 200 children who sign up by the Aug. 20 deadline. There may be a few spaces available after that date — but there is no "race day" registration, he said. The registration fee is $30, and forms are available online at www.lawrencetwp.com, on the Recreation Department page.
The completed registration forms may be dropped off at the Lawrence Township Recreation Department office at the Municipal Building. It is open weekdays, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The forms can also be mailed to the recreation department at 2207 Lawrence Road, Lawrence Township, N.J. 08648.
Children between 6 and 9 years old will swim 50 meters in the Lawrence Swimming Association pool, ride their bicycle for two miles in Village Park, and run for three-quarters of a mile around the Lawrenceville Elementary School. Check-in is at 10 a.m. and the race starts at 10:30 a.m.
Older children — between 10 and 12 years old — will swim for 100 meters, and 13- to 16-year-olds will swim for 200 meters. All will ride their bicycles for two miles in Village Park, and run 1.5 miles around Lawrenceville Elementary School. Check-in is at 7:30 a.m. and the race starts at 8 a.m.
Rider University’s radio station — 107.7 The Bronc — will be on hand to present a live broadcast. Knapp’s Cyclery will perform bicycle and bicycle helmet safety checks, Mr. Groeger said.
All participants — children, as well as adult volunteers — will receive a special T-shirt. Volunteers are needed to help at check-in time, to monitor the route as well as to stand by the pool. They are needed at the staging area and to help with refreshments.
Meanwhile, township officials are seeking sponsors to cover the cost of the triathlon, which is about $3,500. The costs include T-shirts for participants and volunteers, as well as awards and incidental expenses, Mr. Groeger said.
The sponsorships range from $100 to $500. Sponsors who contribute $500 will have their company’s logo placed prominently on the event T-shirt sleeve. All other sponsorship logos or company names will be placed on the back of the T-shirt. The sponsorship forms must be received by Aug. 18.
Although the 2015 fireworks show is still many months away, the fundraising efforts began nearly as soon as the last fireworks shell exploded. The goal is to raise money for next year’s fireworks show at Rider University.
Lawrence Township had paid for the fireworks show in the past, but budget issues in 2010 resulted in the cancellation of the fireworks show — much to the disappointment of many spectators who filled the lawn on campus to watch it.
That’s when two Lawrence residents — Dana Meth and Harper Collins — suggested the children’s triathlon to Mr. Groeger. The first "Red, White and Bang" triathlon was held on Labor Day 2010.
Ms. Meth and Ms. Collins said at the time that their children participated in similar events in other communities. The women were active runners and also belonged to the Lawrence Swimming Association.
The women said their children looked forward to the annual Fourth of July fireworks show, and they were disappointed that it was canceled. Many people plan their Fourth of July weekend around the Lawrence Township fireworks show, they said.
For more information about the "Red, White and Bang" children’s triathlon, contact Mr. Groeger at 609-844-7067.
