NORWAY — Athletes from across the country are gearing up for the seventh annual Norway Triathlon on July 12.

The event, which was almost sold out as of Wednesday, has drawn registrants from 17 states, including Washington, D.C., and from Canada.

“It’s shaping up to be another great Tri,” Lee Dassler of the Western Foothills Land Trust said.

The triathlon is to promote healthy active lifestyles, conserve local natural resources and help the local economy, organizers said. 

In a statement released this week, Dassler said the triathlon will begin at 8 a.m. July 12 at the Pennesseewassee Park beach. The park’s parking lot will close from 4 p.m. Friday, July 11, to noon Saturday, July 12, for the event. The boat launch and its parking area will be closed Saturday until noon.

From approximately 8:30 to 11 a.m. July 12, traffic on Route 118 should use special caution between Greenwood Road and the park entrance, where there will be bike traffic in both directions, and to Roberts Road, where there will be a police officer stopping traffic for runners.

The event is sanctioned by USA Triathlon. It includes a 1k swim on a triangular course from the beach, an 18k bike ride and a 5k run that leaves from the park, goes to Roberts Road, to the Roberts Farm Preserve and back to the park.

Anyone wishing to volunteer for the event should contact Dassler at 739-2124. Kayakers, photographers and traffic control volunteers are still needed, she said.

Parking in the Pennesseewassee Park parking lot is only for competitors, Dassler said. Spectators should plan on carpooling and parking safely along the Ashton Road behind Lake Store on Route 118.

Proceeds from the triathlon will benefit the timber frame sugarhouse to be built this fall at the Roberts Farm Preserve on Roberts Road. The Land Trust operates hiking, snowshoe and cross country ski trails at the preserve. The 165-acre parcel is on the site of a former dairy farm.

ldixon@sunjournal.com