Swimmers hit the water Saturday morning, Aug. 3, 2024, at Ray Kestner Park in Houghton as part of the fourth annual Verna Mize Triathlon. (Eddie O’Neill/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON — The Verna Mize Triathlon returns during the first week of August this year. With the Verna Mize entering its fifth year, organizers have set up three different races for differing levels of competition on Saturday, Aug. 2.

The races this year include the Main Mize, a half-mile swim, an eight-mile bike ride, and a four-mile run; the Mini Mize, a quarter-mile swim, four-mile bike ride, and a two-mile run; and the Maxi Mize, a one-and-a-half kilometer swim, a 40-kilometer bike ride, and a 10-kilometer run.

The distances for the Maxi Mize are USTS distances, and helmets will be required for all of the various bike ride lengths.

Participants can either race individually or as part of a team, and the registration is open to all ages.

To preregister, participants can do so by phone, text, or email before July 31 at 5 p.m. Forms are available at www.vernamizetriathlon.com.

The entry fee is $5 for any of the three races, which can be paid at registration.

For more information, call or text 906-482-2422, or email beach@up.net.

Last year’s event had nearly 50 participants, with Mark Karppinen winning the Mini Mize and Nick Peterson winning the Main Mize.