Every other Thursday evening from now until Aug. 9, expect to see traffic around Cedar Lake in Chester due to an influx of runners, swimmers, and bikers, pushing themselves to the limit for the Cedar Lake Tri Series.

When brothers Jonathan and Garrett Ingalls cofounded this event, “the initial thought was, ‘Let’s create something fun, let’s create something that people look forward to on a Thursday night and breaks up the work week monotony,’” said Jonathan Ingalls.

Beginning at 6:15 p.m. on Thursdays for a total of six sprint triathlons over the summer, anyone from newbie to elite, can pull on their swimsuit, jump on their bike, and lace up their sneakers for a solo relay or a group relay with friends and family.

“It’s social. It’s friends getting together and working together, family members saying, ‘Let’s tackle this together,’” Ingalls said. “It’s a great way to get people engaged and involved.”

The race consists of a 500 yard swim in Cedar Lake; a 10 mile bike loop with a mix of flats, descents, and rolling hills; and an out and back, flat 5k course on Cedar Lake Road.

“At the halfway point, they’re greeted by volunteers with ice cold water to cheer on our athletes. We have a lot of people along the course who are out there with their hoses and their kids cheering on the athletes and hosing them down...It’s pretty exciting to see folks who aren’t participating directly still participating,” Ingalls said.

While registration in previous years had been well above 100 athletes, now the registration is capped at 100 due to rising success over the years. The event draws a range of experience levels.

“You get everyone from first timers to pros who share a few common interests,” Ingalls said.

Ingalls said Valley Shore YMCA members make up a good percent of racers each year because of the triathlon club that is offered year round beginning in January. The Y club members also have a wide range of miles under their feet (and pedals and swimsuits).

“We have a small number of elite athletes, we have a core number of our folks who just participate every year, and then every year we have people who this is on their bucket list,” said Valley Shore YMCA Executive Director Chris Pallatto.

“I think that’s one the reasons we like the Cedar Lake tri series so much is because it’s such a fun environment, it has a really laid back feel. It’s a real race, but everyone there is supportive and collegial and there’s lots of first timers,” said Pallatto. “It’s got a really, really great feel.”

Ingalls asked the YMCA to partner with the Cedar Lake Tri Series this year. The YMCA will provide volunteer support in exchange for a portion of the race proceeds funding a youth triathlon program called Race for Chase, named after Chase Michael Anthony Kowalski who lost his life in the Newtown shooting at Sandy Hook. His parents started a foundation for kids to learn the sport of triathlon. Learn more about the foundation at cmakfoundation.org.

“Statewide there’s more than 500 kids participating in the Race for Chase program and we have a very successful local program…so the proceeds [from the Cedar Lake Tri Series] will allow us to offer the program at the Valley Shore YMCA,” said Pallatto.

According to Pallatto, the program will be offered at either no cost or a very low one.

“We’re very very grateful for being partners with the Cedar Lake Triathlon series,” said Pallatto.

Ingalls also gave kudos to the Town of Chester for making this race happen, with town police and the Chester Hose Company helping ensure safety.

Donations are gathered from local merchants not only to support the race, but also to recognize top athletes. Extra awards are then raffled out after the race. This system not only keeps costs down, but allows runners to be recognized while still encouraging the taking on of individual goals instead of solely competing against one another.

The Cedar Lake Tri Series costs $45 for an individual and $75 for a group relay. Learn more, register for races, and see race dates, at the Cedar Lake Tri Series Facebook page www.facebook.com/cedarlaketriseries.