As the 2012 Olympics Triathlon is Contested in London, the Fenton Triathlon is Ready to Go

2008 Olympic Triathlete Sarah Haskins (above), of High Ridge, just missed qualifying for Saturday's Olympic triathlon in the 2012 London Olympic Games. But the Haskins family will be represented in another triathlon Saturday, this one in Fenton, as 201 racers will take to the pool, the streets of Fenton and Fenton City Park for the 1st Fenton Triathlon.

Sarah's father, Brian, will carry the Haskins family banner Saturday on a day he hoped his daughter would be competing in her second Olympics. As it turns out, the Olympic Triathlon will take place in London on the same day as the Fenton version.

Racers will begin at 7 a.m. with a 300-yard swim at the pool at , followed by a 16.5-mile bike ride through the industrial area and along the scenic Meramec Greenway before embarking on a 3.1-mile run through Fenton's running and walking trails system.

The "sold out" Fenton Triathlon is a bit of a vindication for Andy Reichert, of the Fenton Parks Department, who thought the event would prove to be popular. It was. Reichert said there were many more racers that could have been signed up, but for the city's first time holding a triathlon, he said it was better to have a successful triathlon before increasing the size and scope of the event.

As it is, there will be a lot of runners and cyclists on the streets of Fenton Saturday, beginning at about 8 a.m. following the swimming portion of the triathlon. are advising motorists to be on the lookout for the participants and giving fair warning that there will be many road closures and detours in place to handle the traffic.

Be on the lookout for the triathlon racers Saturday as they chase their personal athletic goals in a big race through some of the most scenic areas of Fenton.