Annual Tri-for-Sight Supports Eye Research at UK
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 20, 2012) – Triathletes will gather at dawn on Sept. 23 for the 10th Annual Susan Bradley-Cox Triathlon for Sight, an event which raises money to benefit the Eye Research Fund at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine.
More than 450 athletes are expected to participate in this year’s race which combines an 800 meter pool swim followed by an 18.5 mile bike ride and concluding with a four mile run. A duathlon (run/bike/run) option is also available. For the swim leg in
Lancaster Aquatic Center, athletes enter the water one at a time, every 15 seconds. The bike course follows Cooper Drive through Lansdowne Merrick and Gainesway subdivisions out to Delong Road horse country via Armstrong Mill Road. The run will pass through the UK Arboretum.
The race is the third and final race of the McDonald’s Central Kentucky Triathlon Race Series, which awards athletes for their combined performances in June’s Markey Race for Women’s Cancer and July’s Lame Duck Try-athlon. Tri For Sight is considered an excellent race for first time triathletes, yet challenging and fun for experienced triathletes. Many athletes choose to race in honor or in memory of someone with a visual impairment.
The inaugural Tri for Sight was held in 2003. In 2007, the directors established the race as the Susan Bradley-Cox Tri For Sight in honor of Lexington’s own world champion triathlete. At the age of 76, Bradley-Cox continues to coach and inspire local triathletes of all kinds. This year she has been mentor to 10 Team-in-Training first-time triathletes participating on behalf of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, while continuing to coach the UK Masters Swim Team and compete on an international level.
UK’s Delta Gamma Sorority, dedicated to fighting eye disease on a national level, provides critical support to the event. Sorority members line the race course to give athletes safe guidance and enthusiastic cheers as they endure the miles. Over the years, this event has also forged lasting relationships with the Lexington Lions Club, the faculty and staff at the UK Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, the Wildcat Masters Swim Team, the Bluegrass Triathlon Club, and multiple local sponsors.
Dr. Sheila Sanders, associate professor and director of Glaucoma Service in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and co-founder of the event, saw the need to support vital eye disease research in progress at UK. This work has provided major advancements in the treatment of macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and ocular inflammation.
Understanding blood vessel changes in the eye has also led to better understanding and treatment of cancers and other diseases. This event provides further momentum to the recently announced planned construction of a new Ophthalmology Clinic on the UK medical campus.
Beth Atnip, director of Tri-for-Sight, now also serves as race director of Ironman Louisville and is active in the administration of USA Triathlon.
While the triathlon spots have been filled, duathlon entries will be accepted through Saturday morning if space permits. For more information, contact race director Beth Atnip at 396-3220, Dr. Sheila Sanders at 859-323-5875 or 859-227-5884, or visit www.triforsight.com.
Media Contact: Ann Blackford, (859) 323-6442 or ann.blackford@uky.edu