June 6, 2011

Cheboygan State Park in Cheboygan County is hosting its third annual "GO-Get Outdoors" triathlon on Saturday, Aug. 27. The adventure/sprint triathlon will involve kayaking two miles, biking eight and one-half miles and running four and one-half miles. A portion of the running section is located on the beach and crosses Little Billy Elliot Creek. Participants should expect to get their feet wet near the end of the competition.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. in the day use area at the park and the race will begin at 9 a.m. T-shirts will be provided for those who pre-register by calling 231-627-2811. Everyone is welcome to participate, but the target group is age 16 years or older.

The event will cost $35 per athlete and is non-refundable. All proceeds will go to support this event and future events at Cheboygan State Park.

"This is the third GO-Get Outdoors adventure/sprint triathlon for Cheboygan State Park," said Paul Koszegi, Department of Natural Resources park supervisor. "The day use area is an excellent location for spectators to cheer on the competitors and watch the start and finish of the race and a great place to picnic or just enjoy the outdoors."

Cheboygan State Park is located at 4490 Beach Rd. in Cheboygan. For details about this event, the park, accessibility or persons needing accommodations to attend this event, contact the park supervisor at 231-627-2811. (TTY/TDD711 Michigan Relay Center for the hearing impaired), or visit: www.michigan.gov/cheboygan.

Camping reservations can be made on line at www.midnrreservations.com or by calling the DNR central reservation system at 1-800-447-2757.

A Recreation Passport is required to enter Cheboygan State Park. The Recreation Passport has replaced motor vehicle permits for entry into Michigan state parks, recreation areas and state-administered boating access fee sites. This new way to fund Michigan's outdoor recreation opportunities also helps to preserve state forest campgrounds, trails and historic and cultural sites in state parks, and provides park development grants to local communities.

Michigan residents can purchase the Recreation Passport ($10 for motor vehicles; $5 for motorcycles) by checking "YES" on their license plate renewal forms, or at any state park or recreation area. Nonresident motor vehicles must still display a valid nonresident Recreation Passport ($29 annual; $8 daily) to enter a Michigan state park, recreation area or state-administered boating access fee site; these can be purchased at any state park or recreation area, or through the Michigan e-Store at www.michigan.gov/estore. To learn more about the Recreation Passport, visit www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport or call 517-241-7275.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.