EDWARDSBURG, Mich. — To swim an 800-yard dash takes strength. To bike 17.2 miles takes endurance. To run 5.3 miles takes perseverance.

To do them all back to back to back? That takes a triathlete.

The Sixth Annual Eagle Lake Triathlon will take place beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at Eagle Lake Marine in Edwardsburg. There will be three separate triathlons: the Long Sprint, the Short Sprint, and the Kids Triathlon.

“We like to get kids involved, and we also like to get people new to the sport involved,” said Mike Teske, director of operations for the Eagle Lake Triathlon and president of the Northern Indiana Triple Threat Triathlon Club.

The Long Sprint begins with an 800-yard swim, 400 yards out and 400 yards back, in Eagle Lake. The swim is followed immediately by a 17.2-mile bike ride that goes east on US 12 to M-62 North, circles back west on Monette Street, south on Cassopolis Road, then east again back to Eagle Lake on US-12. Following the bike ride is a 5.3-mile run around the circumference of Eagle Lake.

Following the beginning of the Long Sprint, the Short Sprint will kick off.

“The Short Sprint is good for beginners,” Teske said. “The lake is fairly shallow, so if there is a problem, they’re able to stand up, take a breath and get re-situated. There are plenty of lifeguards available.”

The Short Sprint includes a 200-yard swim, 6.9-mile bike ride and 1.4-mile run.

Following the Short Sprint is the Kids Triathlon, which includes a 25-yard swim, 3/4-mile bike ride and half-mile run.

“The Kids Triathlon is not a competition,” Teske said. “It’s just to get them familiar with the sport and have fun. They all get awards.”

Teske said that the other two triathlons, however, are competitions and will feature awards for the top finishers.

“There will be age group awards for first, second and third place,” Teske said. “There are 14 age groups, male and female awards each. There will be overall male and female awards, which will be trophies.”

Registration is $65 for the Long Sprint, $55 for the Short Sprint and $25 for the Kids Triathlon. Registration includes an Eagle Lake Triathlon T-shirt, but the money goes toward a much greater cause.

“Kernan’s Heroes is a veterans program that takes veterans from southwestern Michigan and northern Indiana and helps them with housing,” Teske said. “We’re trying to help them get back on their feet.”

Teske said that the triathlon raised $12,000 for Kernan’s Heroes last year.

In order to raise as much money as possible, the triathlon is staffed with volunteers, and Teske said that they are still looking for more volunteers. Their goal is to have 100 volunteers, and while he is looking for anyone who wants to help out, he is especially interested in those with CPR/first aid certification.

“It’s great to volunteer at (a triathlon) so, that way, you can see what it’s all about,” Teske said.

Registration for both volunteers and triathletes can be found online at eaglelaketri.com. If space is available, triathletes can also register on-site August 1.

Packet pickup is from 4 to 7 p.m. July 31, and there will also be a Beginners Clinic from 5 to 7 p.m. during packet pickup.

Eagle Lake Marine is located at 68777 Avenue A in Edwardsburg.