Ironman Utah kicks off its opening events June 5 in Provo.

A community children's fun run at BYU track will start the Ironman festivities at 6:30 p.m. An adult's 5K run will follow the fun run at 7 p.m.

The community pep rally will start at 7:45 p.m. at BYU track.

"Doing a triathlon is so much fun - it is a blast," said Jared Elison, 23, from Bakersfield, Calif., majoring in psychology and international studies.

Elison is one of the many BYU students competing in the event.

Members of the BYU community are also contributing to the volunteer effort, which will include 3,000 to 4,000 people.

"The Ironman is the best of the best," Elison said. "It's like a lifestyle."

The Ironman Utah consists of a 2.4-mile swim in Utah Lake, followed by a 112-mile bicycle race through Provo Canyon and finishing with a 26.2-mile run through the Provo/Orem area.

Copyright Brigham Young University 4 Jun 2002