Held the third Saturday in May, this popular triathlon commemorates the life of local girl Julie Hughes. She was only 15 when she passed in 1985, but her spirit lives on with a celebration of athletics and sports that she loved. She started swimming with the local Baranof Barracudas Swim Club at eight, excelling with coach Siouxha Tokman. Julie competed at the peak of her age group.

At 13, Julie was diagnosed with leukemia. After six month of chemotherapy, she swam for two more years at the high school level. She once told her coach that she wanted to compete in a triathlon, but never achieved that goal. When Siouxha told this to Julie’s parents, they set up a triathlon in her name. It remains one of the biggest and longest operating triathlons in the area.

Honoring Julie

Are you in Sitka for the triathlon, or interested in signing up during your stay? The day begins at Blatchley Middle School with a five-mile run which includes the McConnell Bridge towards the US Coast Guard Base before looping back. Next, a 14-mile bike ride takes participants to Halibut Point Road.

Finally, the peak event includes a 1,000-yard swim of 40 lengths/20 laps at the Blatchley pool. There’s a child’s option which mimics the triathlon at a sliver of the distances. Sign up at the official site.