Cerritos : Triathlon Planned April 25

To draw attention to the city, the Cerritos Chamber of Commerce has won approval to stage the city’s first triathlon on April 25. The City Council recently voted 5-0 to endorse the event and close a number of streets during the race north and east of Cerritos Park East on 166th Street, headquarters for the competition.

The competition will include a nine-mile bicycle race, a three-mile run (five kilometers) and a half-mile swim at the park’s Olympic Swim Center. The cost to enter is $30, and it will be limited to 500 participants. A separate 5-K race also will be held that day with a $10 entry fee and a limit of 800 runners. Entry blanks for both events are available at the chamber office, 19141 Bloomfield Ave., city hall and most area sporting goods stores.

Since August, chamber representatives and city officials have been working out details of street closures, traffic control by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies, insurance and the use of Cerritos Park East and the swim complex. A major sponsor is the Cerritos Auto Square, which is contributing $10,000, nearly half the estimated cost of $22,000 to stage the event.

Chamber officials, who hope the triathlon will become an annual event, said proceeds will finance various chamber activities, including the Adopt-a-School program. It is believed to be the area’s first triathlon.