Keith Barber believes triathlons can be fun for the whole family.
SharkFest IV has brought three triathlon events -- the kids and family triathlon, the sprint triathlon and the area's first Olympic-distance triathlon -- together on the same weekend for that purpose.
"We're trying to create a destination-type event for the whole family, where they can come to town for the whole weekend," said Barber, this weekend's race director. "They can bring the kids in to race on Saturday and mom and dad go out on Sunday."
The popular General Mills Kids & Family Triathlon returns to Bentonville's Memorial Park today for its fourth year, and the Shark Sprint Triathlon will take place Sunday at Horseshoe Bend Park in Rogers.
Race organizers decided to add the longer Olympic-distance triathlon to generate more interest in the big weekend.
"We felt we had a real successful formula with the Shark Sprint but thought -- with the introduction of a half Iron Man in Branson (Mo.) and Lawrence (Kan.) -- there was a need for a little longer distance race," Barber said.
"We wanted to start offering some things that are going to pull people (from out of state) and give them something different. We want to pull moms and dads in that are serious about the sport and I think the Olympic-distance race does that.
"And they can bring the family along and strengthen all our events by creating the big festival weekend."
The festival starts at 7 a.m. today with the General Mills Kids & Family Triathlon, which offers a triathlon course for ages 5-15.
"It's a great introduction to the sport or, for some of our kids, it's the fourth year back at the race," Barber said. "It's pretty exciting to see that thing take off."
Barber said about 200 kids -- up from last year's 120 participants -- are signed up. The race will also feature a parents division again this year and a family team award for the best parent-child time.
The race -- which offers different distances for each age group -- includes a swim at the Melvin Ford Aquatic Center, a bike course along Martin Luther King and John DeShields boulevards and the running course along Memorial Park's jogging trails.
Barber expects 60 participants for Sunday's Olympic-distance race and 220 for the sprint triathlon, nearing the course's capacity of 300 racers.
The Shark Olympic Triathlon will start first, hitting the water at Beaver Lake at 7 a.m. The race includes a 1,500-meter swim in Beaver Lake, a 25-mile bike course between Horseshoe Bend Park and Rogers and a 6.2-mile run within Horseshoe Bend Park.
That distance attracts a more serious competitor, Barber said.
"You're starting to get into the person who trains all summer long for this kind of event," he said. "Instead of the weekend warrior, who trains a couple weeks prior to a sprint (triathlon)."
The Shark Sprint Triathlon will follow the same course as the Olympic-distance race and features a 500-yard swim, a 15-mile bike course and a 3.1-mile run.
The Shark Sprint had 262 participants last year. Barber said Sunday's races have also attracted more out-of-state racers than ever before.
At A Glance
SharkFest IV
Today
General Mills Kids & Family Triathlon
WHEN: 7 a.m.
WHERE: Memorial Park, Bentonville
AGE GROUPS: Pre-Juniors (ages 5-6), Junior (ages 7-10), Seniors (ages 11-15) and parents.
COURSE: Swimming at Melvin Fork Aquatic Center; Biking on Martin Luther King Blvd. and John DeShields Blvd.; Running on Memorial Park jogging trails near pool.
PRE-JUNIORS: 25-yard swim, 0.5-mile bike and 0.25-mile run
JUNIORS: 100-yard swim, 3.1-mile bike and 0.6-mile run
SENIORS AND PARENTS: 200-yard swim, 6.2-mile bike and 1.2-mile run
Sunday
Shark Olympic Triathlon
WHEN: 7 a.m.
WHERE: At Horseshoe Bend Park, Rogers
COURSE: 1,500-meter swim in Beaver Lake; 25-mile bike course between Horseshoe Bend Park and Rogers; 6.2-mile run within Horseshoe Bend Park.
WHEN: 8 a.m.
COURSE: 500-yard swim in Beaver Lake; 15-mile bike course between Horseshoe Bend Park and Rogers; 3.-1 mile run within Horseshoe Bend Park.