Competitors in the Tupper Lake Tinman start the swimming portion of the race. (Provided photo)

TUPPER LAKE — The Tupper Lake Tinman Triathlon will return on Saturday, June 24 at 8 a.m. The event, which began in 1983, draws around 700 participants each year.

The Tupper Lake Tinman Triathlon, sanctioned by USA Triathlon, features five different races: the tinman (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run); aquabike (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike); team relay (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run); Olympic (0.94 mile swim, 24 mile bike, 6.2 mile run); and a sprint (0.6 mile swim, 12.4 mile bike, 3.1 mile run).

Check-in for the race begins on Friday, June 24 from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. There is limited check-in available on race day, beginning at 5:30 a.m.

“This race continues to draw participants from throughout the Northeast,” Race Director Wendy Peroza said. “This year, we have registered participants from Maryland, Georgia, Florida, Canada and even Texas.”

Peroza said that the event would be virtually impossible without local support.

“Tinman is truly a community event,” she said. “Volunteers help to assemble race bags, manage aid stations along the route, help with transitions between the swim, bike and run, assist with athlete check-in, provide race-day direction and information and help to ensure that participants are safe when in the water from their kayak and paddle board vantage points. More volunteers are always welcome.”

Restaurants and food trucks are also involved with race preparations. Each participant receives a coupon voucher to be used during Friday night’s “carbo load” meal event. Local restaurants often prepare athlete-focused specials; something that the athletes seem to appreciate.

The town of Tupper Lake also hosts an expo during Friday’s athlete check-in at the Tupper Lake Civic Center, where High Peaks Cyclery will be on-hand to assist with any last-minute items that the racers may need.

For more information about the race, visit tupperlaketinman.com or visit the Tinman’s Facebook page.