With 170 people already signed up to participate, the Cy-Man Triathlon is bridging in athletes from states like Iowa, Texas, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Nebraska.

Hickory Grove Park, a few miles south of Colo, will be the location of the first stage of the event, which is intended to be annual. The race starts at 7:30 a.m. Sunday.

The Cy-Man Triathlon is being put on by the Ames American Red Cross and the ISU Triathlon Club. ISU Triathlon Club Vice President John Meyer said that the club is happy to finally have a triathlon.

“We used to put on a duathlon in the spring,” Meyer said. “We thought it was awkward to not host a triathlon, since we are a triathlon club.”

This sprint-distance triathlon will begin with a 400-yard swim, followed by a 15-mile bike ride and ending with a 3.1-mile run.

Cy-Man Triathlon race director, Alex Syhlman, said preparation to run a triathlon is crucial.

“One of the first things you have to do is to have the proper equipment and that you have the basic knowledge of all three sports: swimming, biking and running,” Syhlman said. “Then you should train to specific distances for the race you want to complete. Once you know you can complete each leg separately, you can put them together.”

He said training for the events together is best.

“Once you know you can complete a race and have a few races under your belt, you will want to get faster and do specific training to accomplish that,” he said.

The transition from one event to another can be the toughest part of the race, Syhlman said.

“Usually the first transition, swim to bicycling, is not too bad. The second transition, bike to run, can hurt sometimes because you are using the same muscle groups for both cycling and running,” Syhlman said. “When in transition, you are either concerned with getting out as fast as possible or second-guessing if you should even leave.”

Meyer said the swimming transition can be the toughest.

“After the swimming transition, it’s tough because your body has to catch up, get back your land legs,” Meyer said. “Your legs are sore in this difficult event, but it’s a lot of fun.”

Syhlman said that each athlete has his or her own unique transition setup and equipment.

“Some wear socks and some don’t, some change clothes and others don’t, some start riding their bike barefoot and put their shoes on in the first mile and others run in their biking shoes,” Syhlman said.

“Each person has their own strategy and typical transition time. [The] first transition can be anywhere from 20 seconds to two minutes, and the second transition can go from one minute to three or four.”