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The Chisago Lakes Triathlon is on again.

Chisago City Council on Nov. 28 approved permits that will allow the Chisago Lakes Triathlon to return to Paradise Park on Sunday, July 28, 2024. In addition, a kids triathlon, which had been part of the event for many years, will make a comeback at 9 a.m. Saturday morning, July 27, for youngsters age four to 10. 

The council’s Nov. 28 vote reverses a decision made earlier this year to end DuTri Run’s use of Paradise Park based on recommendations of the city park commission, which had cited environmental stress on the park as well as parking and volunteer recruitment issues. Gloria West and her son Ben West appeared before the council saying they had been unaware of the problems cited and sought reconsideration. The city council left the door open for the Wests and advised they meet with the park board.

The Wests met with the Chisago City Park Board on Oct. 11, and again Nov. 9 to work out details of scheduling, signage, volunteers, parking in and near the park, park use and communication. 

Rather than registering at the park, triathletes will register at a local business on the Friday and Saturday before the Triathlon, with only last-minute registration offered in the park early Sunday morning.

One food truck will be permitted in the parking lot at the park on July 28, and the DuTriRun trailer will be permitted in the park from July 25 - 28.  Triathlete goody bags will include coupons from local businesses, a list of all restaurants in the area and special offers from local businesses. Sunday’s event may include a Swedish pancake breakfast.

DuTriRun will be responsible for recruiting and supervising volunteers. Volunteers will be invited to a volunteer orientation before the event and surveyed to gather feedback after the event. 

DuTriRun agrees to pay all required fees for use of the park as well as the salary of any city staff who must work the weekend of the event. The Wests will donate $10,000 to the city park system to cover any past damages that may have resulted from intense use during previous triathlons.

On a motion by Council member Craig Meyer, seconded by Jeremy Dresel, the council voted unanimously to approve the Triathlon event permit and all of its related stipulations. The permit must be renewed annually. 

“I’m glad you guys could come together and make it work,” Dresel told the Wests and the park board after the vote. Council Member Nikki Battles, who sits on the park board, told the Wests  “I appreciate that you’re bringing back the children’s events.”

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