By Shannon Russell
The Cincinnati Enquirer

A record 1,050 athletes from 25 states will canoe, run and bike in Sunday's 24th annual Morgan's Little Miami Triathlon at Fort Ancient State Memorial Park.

Two-person triathlon teams will embark on a 6-mile canoe ride at Morgan's Canoe Livery at 8 a.m., followed by a 6-mile run and 18-mile bike race.

The Little Miami Triathlon, which substitutes canoeing for traditional triathlons' swimming, is the country's largest triathlon of its type. Race director Gary Morgan said more than 500 teams have signed up for the spring triathlon - which is so popular, it's also offered in the fall. Entrants still can register on race day.

"I think there has been a rejuvenation for the appreciation of nature, and also people are looking at their personal lives a little closer. They want to be more healthy," Morgan said.

Entrants from as far as California, Florida, Texas and Canada will be in town for the event.

Fourth-year triathlete Doug Masraum, 37, will team up with pal Dave Pennington for a crack at the Male-Male division title. There are also Open, Male-Female, Female-Female, Parent-Child and Masters divisions.

Masraum wants to shave 10 minutes off his best overall time (2:48).

Masraum, of Hyde Park, runs two to three times a week and bikes biweekly. Though he suspects most entrants have trained extensively to be in triathlon condition, he said, "The average weekend warrior can do it, too."

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E-mail srussell@enquirer.com

Little Miami Triathlon

Morgan's 24th annual Little Miami Triathlon

What: Morgan's 24th annual Little Miami Triathlon: Two-person teams canoe for 6 miles, run for 6 5 miles and bike for 18 miles.

Where: Fort Ancient State Memorial Park; start at Morgan's Canoe Livery.

When: Sunday beginning at 8 a.m.

Cost: $100 per team.

Visit: Web site (www.littlemiamitriathlon.com) for more details.