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Captiva Island bridge shut down for third annual triathlon

By Staff | Sep 4, 2013

The Third Annual Galloway Captiva Tri returns to the island this month.

Organizers will close all regular traffic on Captiva Drive from 6:45-8:45 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15, for the biking leg of the adult triathlon. Local traffic towards Captiva Island will be re-routed to make it easier for large vehicles and trailers to head back down San-Cap Road until the bridge reopens.

Approximately 900 athletes and 30 teams are completing the sold-out triathlon on Sept. 14-15, with proceeds benefiting Community Cooperative Ministries, Inc., specifically the non-profit’s Backpack and School Pantry Program.

“CCMI’s Backpack and School Pantry Program provides emergency food for Lee County school children and their families who are food insecure and chronically hungry. Just $100 per child per school year provides food to keep these children and families fed,” said CCMI CEO Tracey Galloway.

Donations from local sponsors will also raise funds for CCMI.

Race Director Ken Gooderham said the first triathlon donated $6,500 to CCMI and $15,000 in the second year. He said organizers are hoping to exceed those amounts in 2013.

“We’re lucky here in Southwest Florida that we have companies that not only have great products, but who want to do great things for the community,” said Gooderham.

The children’s triathlon is first on Saturday morning where 140 young athletes, split into ages 6-9 and 10-13, will swim, bike and run. Adults will compete on Sunday by completing a quarter mile swim, ten mile bike ride, and 5K run.

This year’s triathlon is unique because the first wave of athletes are competing in a new “elite” division. Adults who entered this new division had to post qualifying times at a USAT sanctioned event.

For more information, visit captivatri.org.