Hundreds of athletes are expected to swarm the Plateau this Saturday for the 17th annual Beaver Lake Triathlon.

“We are anticipating similar numbers to last year, about 500,” race director Sharon Freechtle said.

The race begins at 7:45 a.m., with a 1/4-mile swim, followed by a 13.8-mile bike ride and a 4.3-mile run.

The swim is done in a triangular formation around Beaver Lake. The bike ride follows, sending riders northeast over the scenic Duthie Hill Road, then east on Redmond-Fall City Road and two miles back up to the Plateau. Competitors finish the race with a run around the Beaver Lake community, before finishing at the park.

Gregory Gallagher of Spokane won last year’s overall race in 1 hour, 11 minutes, 24 seconds.

Sammamish’s own Johnna Koenig won the overall female race in 1:18:23. She was the first local female to win in four years.

This year’s triathlon will not feature day of registration. Competitors last opportunity to register is from 11 a.m., to 8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 20 at Pacific Bicycle (22830 NE 8TH St, Sammamish). There are eight divisions, ranging from elite, to senior citizens, to teams.

The triathlon also provides several chances for those in the community who don’t want to race.

“We are offering an opportunity for non-profit groups to earn money for their group,” Freechtle said. “Groups as small as 10 people could qualify for funding for volunteering at the Beaver Lake Triathlon.”

The Skyline lacrosse and cross country are two of the groups who have already volunteered their services this year.

Go to, www.beaverlake.org, for more information.