The Lititz recCenter looks at life through the wide lens. The Lititz recCenter is in it for the long haul. The Lititz recCenter goes the distance.

Of all the events that it sponsors, few epitomize the Lititz recCenter's mission in quite the same way that its annual triathlon does.

"You don't have to be really fit to do it," said Simon Ababou, Lititz recCenter's fitness director, who founded the triathlon in 2015. "Our triathlon is good for beginners. You just have to practice a little bit and take your time."

The Lititz recCenter's annual triathlon is approaching. This year's version of the unique community event will be contested from the recCenter's headquarters at 301 Maple St., Lititz, at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 9 - with one notable supplementation.

In addition to the swim-bike-run triathlon, the event will also feature a new bike-run competition for athletes not necessarily interested in swimming. Pre-event registration for both races can be completed at https://lititzrec.com. Registration will also be available in-person on the day of the race, between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m.

Prizes will be awarded to the top overall female and male finishers, and medals will be earned by the top three male and female finishers in nine age categories, from under 20 to over 70. Snacks, ice towels and goodie bags will be provided for the contestants.

"The feel is really, really community," said Ababou. "The energy level is high. Everybody has come to this cool town, and you see people going to businesses downtown. It's about bringing people together. We want people to enjoy healthy lifestyles."

Spectators are welcome, and a food truck will be parked on-site. The Lititz recCenter's Triathlon is being supported by 15 sponsors.

"We always hear nice comments from the participants," said Ababou. "They appreciate how much work we put into it. It's well organized. The roads are well marked. I think it's the best in the county, period."

Competitors will navigate 300 meters of swimming, 15.8 miles of biking and 3.1 miles of running. The Liititz recCenter's outdoor pool will provide the swim venue, scenic backroads between Lititz and Manheim will serve as the cycling course and historic downtown Lititz will serve as the setting for running.

"If you put some practice into it, it's good," said Ababou. "It's also good to be familiar with the course, but you won't get lost."

Nearly 300 contestants, mostly from Lancaster County and from surrounding communities like York and Harrisburg, but also from as far away as Maryland, New Jersey and New York, are expected to compete.

In addition to its role as a fitness and health promoter, the event also serves as a fundraiser for the Lititz recCenter. Organizers are hoping to raise $30,000 from the triathlon and bike-run.

The proceeds will be used to finance programs at Lititz recCenter, particularly youth programs.

A combination of 40 staff members and volunteers is required to efficiently stage the event.

The Lititz recCenter welcomed 119 competitors when Ababou initially established the event 11 years ago.

"I said, 'Lancaster County needs a triathlon,'" said Ababou. "We were just learning at first, but it went fine. The number of participants and the number of sponsors has grown; there's more interest in it."

Overseen by a board of directors, the Lititz recCenter, which takes a holistic approach to wellness, conducts activities and classes like yoga, Pilates, strengthening, sports programs and child care.

"(The triathlon and bike-run) fits with what we do at the recCenter," said Ababou. "We have different programs for every age, from babies to seniors. The recCenter is a great, great organization with great leaders, great staff and great members. I think the organization is growing, but it's all about the community."