March 20, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 7 Upper Saddle River On Saturday, June 8, the Upper Saddle River Recreation Commission will hold its Tenth Annual Upper Saddle River Youth Triathlon. This triathlon is open to all children ages eight through 14. Registration will open Monday, April 15. In order to get kids involved in the triathlon, the commission has also organized a T-Shirt Design Contest for all children who live in Upper Saddle River or attend school in town. First prize for the design contest is a bike. In addition, the winning design will be featured on the triathlon T-shirt, which will be given out to competitors. The triathlon incorporates swimming, biking, and running. Participants begin their swim at the Saddle River Valley Swim and Tennis Club, and bike to Lions Park, where they finish the running portion of the triathlon. Participants are divided into two groups, depending on their age. The swimming, biking, and running distances Tenth Annual USR Youth Triathlon coming June 8 are different for each group. Marshall Grupp founded the first USR Youth Triathlon after a fortuitous trip to California. “I was visiting Los Angeles on a July 4th weekend and did a road race in the Pacific Palisades and, at the end of the race, there was a youth triathlon. I thought this was a great idea and decided to bring it to the rec. commission in Upper Saddle River,” Grupp said. “From the first year to present, the only organizer of this race has been the USR Rec. Commission with the full support and leadership of Ed Gartner.” Grupp noted that the event attracted 65 tri-athletes the first year, and later grew to 160 (which is the limit, due to time constraints). “In a time where there are so many team sports, the Upper Saddle River Youth Triathlon offers athletes the opportunity to participate as an individual in an event that speaks to setting a very specific goal, that being to have fun and finish on your own terms. It is a ‘feel good’ event that celebrates the spirit of individual accomplishment. In a time where there is so much pressure on young people to achieve, not just in sports but also in school, the organizers work very hard to take the ‘pressure’ out and replace it with the celebration of youth!” Grupp added. The day of the triathlon, contests, food, and prizes will be set up at the finish line in Lions Park. Sponsors and volunteers are welcome to help. For more information about the triathlon, the design contest, and sponsorship opportunities, visit www. USRtoday.org/triathlon or contact Marshall Grupp at Mgrupp@soundlounge.com or Recreation Director Ed Gartner at (201) 327-3634 or USRRecreation@aol.com. The Saddle River Valley Junior Woman’s Club is seeking donations for its Treasure Sale slated for April 27. Gently-used items in good condition may be dropped off Saturday, April 6 from 9 a.m. to noon at Westy Self Storage, located at 200 Route 17 North in Upper Saddle River. Donated items may also be dropped off the day prior to the sale between 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Upper Saddle River Fire Department at 375 West Saddle River Road. For more information, to make an appointment for a drop off, or to arrange a pickup of large items, call Kara at (646) 250-3959. All proceeds will benefit the community and support the work of the SRVJWC. Juniors seek ‘treasures’ for sale