Thousands Are Expected to Compete in Saturday's Race on the Base Despite Chance of Rain

When the sun rises over the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base Saturday morning, Aaron Roberts, a partner at Seal Beach Anytime Fitness, will join more than 6,000 other athletes for the 30th annual Race on the Base with one goal in mind: He has no intention of winning his triathlon division again this year.

“Last year I finished first in my division, but I didn’t realize that I was in the special-needs division,” said Roberts. “I don’t know how that happened, but I called them the next day and apologized profusely because I didn’t want them to send me a medal.”

Fortunately, Roberts was the only triathlon competitor listed in the special-needs category, so his inadvertent victory had no impact. For Roberts and many of the athletes on Saturday, the race is not about winning. It’s about health, family and inspiration.

“I am doing the triathlon with my wife,” he said. “It’s fun to finish together. It’s just a fun event.”

Roberts also plans to arrive early in the morning to cheer on 60 young athletes competing in the children’s triathlon as part of Operation Get Fit through the Pediatric Therapy Network, a nonprofit that works with families and children with special needs.

A client told Roberts about the program, and his company donated purple shirts, bracelets and water bottles for the kids.

“When I heard about it, I just felt I had to do something,” said Roberts. “I just think it’s awesome that these kids are racing, and I plan to go cheer them on.”

Despite the weather forecast predicting rain, thousands of children and adults are expected to compete Saturday in events such as the reverse triathlon, the triathlon, 5K and 10K runs, 10K in-line skate/wheelchair, and the 5K walk, said Corey Lakin, Los Alamitos’ recreations supervisor.

“Rain or shine, we’ll be out there,” said Lakin. “Just like last year.”

“There is no weather that can be as bad as it was last year,” said City Councilwoman Marilyn Poe.

Last year, triathlon racers competed in torrential rain and intense wind.

“I thought it was going to be a lot of people who are very fit,” said Poe. “It was every kind of people. There were grandmas and grandpas and kids. It was very inspirational.”

The first race of the day is the junior reverse triathlon for 7- and 8-year-olds, and the last race is the adult reverse triathlon at 10:30 a.m., which has a two-hour time limit.

The 5K walk is a fundraiser for the Cancer Support Foundation. Proceeds from the rest of the events go to support the USA Water Polo National Training Center. Last year, the event raised $52,000, said Lakin.

Competitors can register today or on the morning of the race. Entry fees range from $22 to $130 for the team reverse triathlon.

For more information, go to raceonthebase.com.