What's Happening in Lansing, MI…

For the ninth year in a row, Lansing recently hosted the Hawk Island Triathlon.

According to a May 31, 2015 news item, the day of the event offered steady rain and a temperature of 48 degrees, but that didn't stop more than 600 people from participating.

The triathlon participants swam in the adjacent lake, biked round trip to the campus of Michigan State University, and ran through wind and rain on the Lansing River Trail.

Runner Jeremy Herliczek turned 41 on the day of the race, and celebrated the day by finishing the sprint event as third in his age category. Herliczek said that anyone who could survive the race could do anything.

There were two separate races Sunday: the sprint and the Olympic distance. Those who participated in the sprint were required to swim 500 meters, ride a bicycle sixteen kilometers, and then run five kilometers. Those who chose to attempt the Olympic event, new this year, had to swim 1,000 meters, ride 40 kilometers, and run 10 kilometers.

The Hawk Island Triathlon is the biggest sprint-distance triathlon in Michigan. Another event is planned for the fall, with three categories: Olympic, sprint, and kids' distances.

Event organizers could build on the success of this event by working with a flyer printing company on a mailer for area residents. Since the next race is in only a few months, they might include a registration form on the flyer.