The R.A.C.E. Rome Sprint and Youth Triathlon will again descend on Darlington School’s 500-acre campus on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. All proceeds from the event benefit Summit Quest, a Rome-based non-profit organization that works directly with families affected by cancer to provide support through special programming. The race officially opens with the sprint at 8 a.m. and a youth race to follow at 12:30 p.m.
The initial idea for R.A.C.E. Rome's signature line of triathlons came about after deliberating ways to create new opportunities for athletic competition while also supporting local charities.
“Our non-profits in Rome have a great need for exposure and for more resources,” said Beth (Bagby) Smith ('87, LD '13), event coordinator. “Triathlons are feel-good races where everybody is there to support one another. It just made sense to use these events and the money raised for these worthy organizations.”
The Sprint Triathlon is comprised of a 300-yard swim in Silver Lake, a 14-mile bike ride across campus, and a 3.1-mile run. The Youth Triathlon is for participants 6 to 15 years old, and distances will vary based on age.
R.A.C.E. Rome, which stands for Racing Awareness Charity Events of Rome, has supported Summit Quest with the September races for the past two years, helping fulfill a specific and important need in the Northwest Georgia community.
“Sometimes when cancer affects a family, the children don’t receive as much attention as they did before the lives of loved ones were changed, and don’t really have someone to share their feelings with,” said Becca Wood, administrative assistant in Darlington's Advancement Office and a member of Summit Quest's board of directors. “Summit Quest gives these kids the opportunity to talk about what’s going on while enjoying different fun activities and programs that help take their minds off of their troubles.”
Registration for the Sprint Triathlon is $90 for individuals and $100 for teams. Relay teams are welcomed and encouraged to participate. Registration for the youth event is $45 per entrant.
“All of the money that we make from this event goes straight back to the community,” added Smith. “We hear a lot from our participants about how nice it is to get out of the bigger surrounding cities and come up to this beautiful area, knowing that while having a wonderful time racing they are also supporting the great causes that we have here in Rome."
For additional information and registration for the Sprint & Youth Triathlon, visit the RACE Rome website.
For volunteer opportunities, contact Beth Smith at bsmith@darlingtonschool.org.
Click here to see photos from last year's event.
