NORWAY — The annual Norway Triathlon is scheduled to be back for its 16th year on Saturday, July 8, at Pennesseewassee Park.

The event is set to run at its maximum race capacity of approximately 120 individuals and teams. Sanctioned by USATriathlon, it is a sprint tri for experienced athletes or first-time competitors.

Individuals and teams of all ages and abilities are encouraged to compete. Proceeds benefit the Western Foothills Land Trust (WFLT).

The event will begin at 8 a.m. with a 0.75-kilometer swim in Lake Pennesseewassee. Swimmers start in waves and are surrounded by a flotilla of safety kayaks and party boats with lifeguards on duty.

After the swim, competitors run to the transition area, don their bike gear and hit the road. This year the bike course will exit the park and proceed to Greenwood Road, turning around at Richardson Hollow Road for the 18-kilometer out and back ride.

Once safely back in the transition area, competitors will secure their bikes, change into running shoes, and head out along Route 118, turning right onto Ashton Road, proceeding to the height of land, and returning on Sodom, Country Club, and Ashton roads to Route 118 for a finish through the arch in Pennesseewassee Park.

Once across the finish line, participants can have local food set up by volunteers. The Norway Tri gold, silver, and bronze cowbell awards will be handed out to winners of age categories as well as overall top women’s and men’s athletes.

The parking lot at Pennesseewassee Park will close at 4 p.m. Friday, July 7, so the transition area can be set up. Registration and packet pick up will be held in the Red School House on Route 118 Friday from 4-8 p.m.

Pennesseewassee Park will be closed from 6 a.m. until noon on July 8 to accommodate the event. Individuals and families from the community wishing to use the beach, as well as fishermen and other boaters, are asked to stay out of the park until after noon when the race is over. All drivers on Route 118, Greenwood Road, and Sodom Road are asked to drive with caution for the safety of participants.

Registration, course maps and detailed race information can be found at wfltmaine.org/norway-triathlon.

To volunteer, email info@wfltmaine.org.

Diamond sponsor is Maine Beer Company. Gold sponsor is Cafe Nomad. Silver sponsors are Western Maine Health, Oxford Hotel & Casino, and The Woods Maine. Bronze sponsors are Coldwell Bank Real Estate, Bancroft Contracting, Black Dog Timberworks, Green Machine Bikes, Carter’s X-C Ski, and Oxbow Brewing. In-Kind sponsors are True North Adventureware, Allagash Brewing, Sebago Brewing Company, Sebago Clean Waters, CEBE, and the Fare Share Coop.

Check out other upcoming area events!