The thirteenth annual Lighter-Than-Air Championship will be hosted by Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst on Sunday, Aug. 24, starting at 8:30 a.m. The USA Triathlon sanctioned event will provide contestants an opportunity to complete a challenging three-mile run, a twenty-mile bike race and a final two-mile run.
“Beautiful Waterford Crystal, as well as cash, will be awarded,” according to Nina Burnett, head of base support for the event. “Teams and individuals may register in advance or the day of the race but will need photo identification and vehicle documentation.”
Base security staff will allow contestants and staff into the base after a stringent security review but cannot allow access by the general public. “We try to be as accommodating as possible to community groups that depend on our facilities without lowering our security standards,” said Patrick Breaux, the head of base security and safety.
Breaux hopes the public understands that only those directly involved with the race can be admitted to the base. Even with these restrictions, last year, the base admitted over 300 cars with racers, coaches and race support personnel.
By day’s end, Todd Wiley of Doylestown, Pa. had the fastest male finish with a time of 1:12:01 and Cecily Tynan of Philadelphia, Pa had the fastest female finish with an overall time of 1:24:55.
Potential contestants may call the base Morale Welfare and Recreation office at 732-323-5188 for registration forms and additional information.
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