Veishea activities will kick off this weekend with the Veishea Criterium bicycle race on Saturday and the Triathlon on Sunday.

Mark Meier, Tour de Veishea race director, said the race is a great way to start the week of events.

“I think it’s kind of a good lead-off for Veishea. It builds up the excitement for the week,” said Meier, senior in computer science. “It’s a chance to get the Veishea spirit going.”

Matt Essick, Veishea tournament co-chairman and senior in agricultural business, said the Criterium bike race started about 10 years ago, but this is the first year for the Triathlon, replacing the Peterson Pits mountain bike race.

Due to lack of participation in the Peterson Pits race, event directors replaced it with the Triathlon, Meier said.

The Veishea Triathlon will be held Sunday on campus and requires participants to swim in Beyer Hall, run around Lake LaVerne and bike around central campus, Meier said.

Meier said he and other event coordinators brainstormed ideas and decided a three-event competition open to athletes of all abilities would be ideal.

“We wanted something that would work well opposite a bike race,” he said.

People can participate alone or register as a team of three. Each member of a team must do one part of the triathlon, he said.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. in Beyer Hall. The cost for teams will be $10 per person. Individual participants will pay $15.

Meier said there will be prizes for the winning teams as well as the top individuals.

The Criterium road bike race is sanctioned by the United States Cycling Federation and generally draws professional cyclists from around the country, Meier said.

Race participants are split into different categories based on skill and registration time, he said.

The race runs at different intervals throughout the day and goes in a loop around central campus, beginning at the Memorial Union, then along Morrill Road to Osborn Drive and then along Wallace Road before ending in front of the Union.

For less serious bicyclists, the Veishea Open Bike Race will be held Saturday. Meier said this race will be open to all ages and will alternate with the Criterium division races throughout the day.

“If you’re an athlete and want to race, we can find a category for you,” he said.

Meier said each of the races will be timed and winners from the different divisions will take home a prize of their choice provided by Bike World, 126 S. Third St., sponsor of Tour de Veishea.

Meier said the races generally run smoothly with few accidents.

He said he is hoping for a big turnout.

“I’d really like to see more people that want to try to come out and have a good time,” he said.

Registration for the Criterium is $20 and begins at 8 a.m. on the north side of the Union. The Veishea Open Bike Race costs $15 to participate, and registration begins at 11 a.m. at the same location. All participants in the races must wear helmets, he said.

Another Veishea-sponsored race, a 5-kilometer run, will be held April 18 at 10 a.m., beginning between the Union and the Campanile.

Christopher Stafford, race co-director, said more than 200 people participated last year.

The race is split into age groups of 18 and under, 19-29, 30-45 and 46 and older, which traditionally has the most participants, he said.

The top three winners in each age category will receive a prize, and door prizes also will be given away.

This event also is open to everyone, and athletic ability should not be a determinant for registering, he said.

“People can run or walk,” said Stafford, junior in architecture. “It’s good to get out and run and exercise.”

Registration is $15 and will begin at 8:30 a.m. near the start point.

More information on the races can be found on the Veishea Web site at www.veishea.org or by calling the Veishea office at 294-1026.