Volunteers needed for HITS Triathlon in Marble Falls
The HITS Triathlon Series makes its annual stop in Marble Falls on April 24-26 and includes a swim portion in Lake Marble Falls. File photo
JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF
MARBLE FALLS — The HITS Triathlon Series needs volunteers when the event comes to Marble Falls on April 24-26.
If an organization has 25 or more volunteers, HITS will contribute $250 to it.
“There are so many opportunities for local folks and groups to benefit,” said Emily Glass, the public relations specialist for HITS. “Even if you don’t know the sport of triathlon, we have so many opportunities.”
Volunteers are needed April 23 to stuff goodie bags for as many as 700 triathletes at Lakeside Pavilion, 307 Buena Vista.
During the event, volunteers will be needed to assist athletes, including helping them out of their wetsuits after the swim portion all the way to placing medals around the necks of the winners, Glass said.
Volunteers must be at least 12 years old for such activities as helping with food and beverages and the transition areas.
Go to hitstriathlonseries.com for a list volunteer positions. Email volunteer coordinator Katie Thompson at katie@hitsendurance.com to volunteer.
“We really couldn’t do it without volunteers,” Glass said. “They play such an important role. It’s an amazing experience to be able to see someone finish a full-distance event.”
More than 400 triathletes have already registered for the HITS event, which features five different divisions:
- open – 100-meter swim, 3-mile bike ride and 1-mile run
- spring – 750-meter swim, 12.4-mile bike ride and 3.1-mile run
- Olympic – 1,500-meter swim, 24.8-mile bike ride and 6.2-mile run
- half – 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride and 13.1-mile run
- full – 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run
Glass said the sprint and half distances are attracting the most triathletes with more than 130 in each.
Competitors will swim in Lake Marble Falls then bike down U.S. 281 South. Transition stations, where triathletes will drop off their bikes and change into running gear, are at Reddy Express in Round Mountain. Organizers say triathletes will be on their bikes and out of Marble Falls by 10 a.m. April 25 and 26.
“We like to go to communities that welcome us with open arms,” Glass said. “There has to be traffic control, police support and all of the other things that go into the big picture.”
The HITS series has made a stop in the city for a handful of years now, and Glass said it’s always a pleasure to return.
“We’re excited to get back to Marble Falls,” she said. “The community has supported us over the years.”
jfierro@thepicayune.com