ABOVE VIDEO:Registration is now open for the 14th Annual Battle of the Bridges Triathlon, October 2, 2016.
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Registration is now open for the 14th Annual Battle of the Bridges Triathlon, October 2, 2016.
Event organizer, Cape Coast Multisport, anticipates another successful year for the hundreds of athletes attempting to achieve their personal bests.
It is also expected to once again raise thousands of dollars to help local families who are fighting their own battles with cancer.
The money raised from the triathlon supports the Cancer Care Foundation of Brevard County which helps families with expenses during cancer treatment.
These expenses could include transportation and lodging costs, rent or mortgage payments, help with prescriptions not covered by insurance, and a host of other costly items that often go unpaid during cancer treatments.
Marta Fiol
“Thanks to these wonderful athletes local cancer patients are relieved of the financial stress associated with their treatments,” said Marta Fiol, volunteer for the Cancer Care Foundation of Brevard County and breast cancer survivor of 31 years.
“We are so grateful for these athletes and want them to know how much they are appreciated and recognized for their efforts both on and off the course.”
Since 1990 when the foundation was first created, Cancer Care Foundation has assisted more than 8000 patients and their families.
Christine Lighthill
“This triathlon is more than just a race for so many of us,” said Race Director Christine Lighthill of Cape Coast Multisport.
“These athletes train so hard to do their best and many of them don’t realize they are also helping someone else be their best in the cancer fight. To me, you just can’t put a price on that. This is why the Battle of the Bridges is so near and dear to many who participate year after year.”
The Battle of the Bridges is a sprint distance triathlon that boasts one of the more beautiful triathlon venues in the State of Florida.
The quarter-mile swim begins on the shores of the Indian River Lagoon at the base of the Eau Gallie Causeway.
It transitions to a 15-mile bike course along U.S. Highway 1, a national scenic byway. The athlete’s first “battle” comes along the Pineda Causeway, which challenges the cyclist to climb approximately half a mile at 6% incline.
The course then meanders through the tree-lined, waterfront South Tropical Trail before approaching the second climb up the Eau Gallie Causeway. A speedy transition from bike to run awaits at the bottom of the causeway where careful attention is required in order to stay upright at the turn to begin the run course.
In 2015, iAerials and producers Garrett Hinton and Justin Snyder received an ADDY Award for the Battle of the Bridges video titled, “Who are you racing for?” The video captured high definition images from the race and also highlighted personal stories from cancer survivors and members of the Cancer Care Foundation.
In 2015, iAerials and producers Garrett Hinton and Justin Snyder received an ADDY Award for the Battle of the Bridges video titled, “Who are you racing for?” The video captured high definition images from the race and also highlighted personal stories from cancer survivors and members of the Cancer Care Foundation.
“The parallels of an athlete and a cancer fighter are not too far off,” added Lighthill.
“Both must fight hard to survive. Hopefully one will inspire the other. When the battles are shared, the odds of success are greater. That’s what we hope to see on both sides of the finish line.”
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