bobwitanek 2008-08-14 8:01 PM

Member 168

Subject: 9/28 - S/B/R So Others Can Skate . . . Contact: Darek Hahn at: [email protected] or 609-865-1081. For Immediate Release     HIGHTSTOWN TRIATHLON – SWIM, BIKE & RUN SO OTHERS CAN SKATE     Hightstown, N.J. (June 24, 2008) – On Sunday, September 28, 2008 at 7:30 AM, the Borough of Hightstown will host its first Hightstown Sprint Triathlon, sponsored by Matrix Properties. The sprint triathlon course will be comprised of a .25 mile swim, a 10 mile bike ride, and a 5k run.     The .25 mile swim course, sponsored by K & H Counseling & Jersey Area Multisport, will be set on beautiful Peddie Lake. This scenic location allows plenty of room for spectators to enjoy an ideal view of the events, since the lakefront will also serve as the transition area for the bike and run course. The 10-mile bike course, sponsored by the Bicycle Rack, includes two loops through the tree-lined streets of Hightstown. The 5k run course, sponsored by Premier Physical Therapy, will wind through the Peddie School’s campus with a dramatic finish across the main footbridge of Peddie Lake. “Out of all of the triathlons I’ve attended, this course should provide the best views of the race for spectators. They will be able to see the entire swim leg in Peddie Lake, portions of the bike leg as they go across the bridge, and views of the run as the competitors cross the finish line,” says event organizer Darek Hahn. “The triathlon course will be fun, flat, and fast; this is a great event for first-timers as well as serious athletes.”     Proceeds from the triathlon will support the construction of a proposed skatepark in Hightstown. The park will be located on a Mercer Street parcel of land adjacent to the high school, soon to be donated to the borough specifically for this project by local business owner Matt Lucas. While the park design is still under development, input from local skaters and community members will be solicited during the next six months. According to local architect and skatepark advocate Richard Pratt, “The skatepark will provide a safe, accessible place for skaters, away from traffic. Skateboarding is as much a sport as football or baseball; skaters should be able to practice their sport without being ticketed or put in harm’s way. This park will accomplish that goal in spades.”     Pratt added that the financial support and publicity generated by the upcoming sprint triathlon will be a great boost to the skatepark initiative. “It’s good for the town, good for the athletes, and good for the project.” Hahn expects the triathlon to raise thousands of dollars to help offset the skatepark’s construction costs, which will be covered through grants, donations and special events.     For registration and sponsorship information on the sprint triathlon, visit http://www.hightstown-skatepark.org/triathlon.html. Volunteers are also needed for the event, and can sign up by contacting Beverly Asseltine at [email protected] .     Hightstown Skatepark Committee is a subcommittee of the Hightstown Parks & Recreation Commission. The committee is currently focused on raising money to cover construction costs and develop the skatepark design. For more information on the Hightstown skatepark, visit http://hightstown-skatepark.org.     Downtown Hightstown is a project of the Greater Hightstown-East Windsor Improvement Project (GHEWIP). The mission of Downtown Hightstown is to promote and enhance the unique and historic assets of Hightstown’s downtown area, while raising the value of its properties and businesses. To achieve this, the group aims to improve the borough’s visual appeal and desirability as a pedestrian-friendly destination for shopping, living, working, and playing. To learn more about Downtown Hightstown, visit: https://www.downtownhightstown.org/