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Westchase TriGals Up To The Challenge

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By MICHELE SAGER

msager@tampatrib.com

Published: December 31, 2008

WESTCHASE - The Westchase TriGals wants to help people get in shape in the new year with the annual Iron Distance Challenge.

The TriGals are a multi-sport club for women aimed at providing socialization and support for runners and other athletes. The group's challenge is asking people to go the distance of an Ironman competition over the course of a month.

That means swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles and running a marathon, which is 26.2 miles. Stacie Marlin, event director, said participants can do it all at one event or over the course of the month.

"You don't have to be a triathlete to do this," she said. "Our goal is to encourage people of all abilities to get out and get active."

More experienced runners can enter in the individual or relay categories. Less experienced athletes can enter the spirit category, which allows them to accumulate their total miles during the month. This includes miles from spin classes and treadmills.

"People can even pool their miles together," Marlin said. "We'll send you an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of your miles. Monitoring is on the honor system."

Participants can practice and accumulate miles during weekend training sessions with the group. Lifestyle Family Fitness has partnered with the group to allow a place for training free of charge.

The winners in each category will get to donate a portion of the proceeds collected to the charity of their choice.
Event registration is $35 per person, and participants will be registered for a chance to win a triathlon bike.

The event begins Jan. 1, and training schedules and registration information can be found at www.thetrigals .com.

GO THE DISTANCE

The Westchase TriGals want to help people get in shape with the annual Iron Distance Challenge. For information, visit www.thetrigals.com.

Reporter Michele Sager can be reached at (813) 865-1523.

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