Applications are now available and being accepted for the 17th annual Vytra-TOBAY Triathlon, Long Island's largest Triathlon, and one of the largest - and most athlete-friendly - multisports events in the country.

The date is Sunday, August 22, the place is Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park in Oyster Bay, the distances are a 1 Kilometer Swim in Oyster Bay Harbor, a 15 Kilometer Bike through Oyster Bay Cove, and a 5 Kilometer Run up to the Planting Fields Arboretum and back to the exciting finish at Roosevelt Park. This is an event that can be mastered by anyone who is in reasonably good shape on a reasonable amount of training. It's a perfect event for first timers, and yet is challenging enough to satisfy the veteran triathlete.

The event will be conducted under the auspices of the Town of Oyster Bay and its Department of Parks and Recreation, with Vytra Health Plans ("It's about people") signing on once again as the corporate title sponsor. Event management will be provided by the Greater Long Island Running Club.

The Vytra-TOBAY Triathlon gives athletes an opportunity to have some fun and do some good at the same time, since major portions of the proceeds of this great event go to the Long Island Alzheimer's Foundation, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the Oyster Bay-based Friends of the Bay.

The entry fee for the Vytra-TOBAY Triathlon is $40 if you register by May 31, which is reduced to $35 if you are a resident of the Town of Oyster Bay. The entry fee jumps to $50 on June 1 and $60 after June 30.

Not up to a Tri? The event also features a team competition, so talk to your swimming and biking buddies and come up with a team for the Vytra-TOBAY Tri-Relay. The team entry fee through May 31 is $27 per team member ($3 discount for those who reside in the Town of Oyster Bay). The team fee goes to $32 per team member on June 1 and $40 per team member after June 30. New this Year: the Vytra Corporate Team Competition. Talk to your buddies at work about it!

Not up to a Tri? The event also features a team competition, so talk to your swimming and biking buddies and come up with a team for the Vytra-TOBAY Tri-Relay. The team entry fee through May 31 is only $27 per team member ($3 discount for those who reside in the Town of Oyster Bay). The team fee goes to $32 per team member on June 1 and $40 per team member after June 30. New this Year: the Vytra Corporate Team Competition. Talk to your buddies at work about it!

We are pleased to welcome Jose Lopez as the enthusiastic new director of the Vytra-TOBAY Triathlon, at the same time as we again thank previous Triathlon Director Steve Winkler for 16 great years. Please join Jose and the good people from Vytra Health Plans and the Town of Oyster Bay for Long Island's #1 triathlon on August 22!

For more info and/or entry booklets, call the Greater Long Island Running Club office at (516) 349-7646. Not yet ready to "Tri"? Experience the event as a volunteer by calling Coordinator of Volunteers Mindy Davidson at (516) 520-9481 (before 9 p.m.).

...And Don't miss the Vytra-TOBAY Triathlon Clinic on Thursday, May 20! This is a perfect evening for first or second time triathletes, or for anyone else who wants a heads up on how to do their best race possible on August 22!