OLD ORCHARD BEACH – The second annual Old Orchard Beach Rev3 Triathlon will take place on Sunday, Aug. 25. Professional and amateur athletes will compete in either the 70.3-mile HalfRev or 30-mile OlympicRev swim/bike/run endurance race.

Due to last year’s success, the prize purse for the professional athletes was increased from $35,000 to $50,000 for the 2013 race. Beautiful Veteran’s Memorial Park in downtown Old Orchard Beach will once again be the center of activity. sheJams, is also back for their second year as the charity partner in the race. sheJams is a major fundraiser in Maine having donated millions of dollars to local cancer research and care, women’s issues and multiple charitable programs in their local communities.

The Old Orchard Beach Rev3 Triathlon was named No. 3 internationally of top new races. Second and first place were awarded to Melbourne, Australia and Bend, Oregon respectively. More than 800 athletes (professional and amateur) participated last year and this year’s participation is expected to well exceed that.

The athletes in both races will begin with a swim in the exceptionally clean clear waters of Casco Bay – starting at the Atlantic Avenue Beach entrance in front of the host hotel, The Waves Oceanfront Resort.Athletes exit the swim at the Old Orchard Beach Pier, running through Town Square to Veteran’s Memorial Park where they will then transition to their bikes and make their way out of Old Orchard Beach through Saco, Buxton, Dayton and back to the Park. They will then transition to an out and back from, the majority of which takes place on the stunning Eastern Trail. Other activities for the athletes, their families and our community will be scheduled throughout the weekend.

This event provides an incredibly positive economic impact on what is generally a quiet tourist week in southern Maine. Officials expect many of their over 200 volunteers from last year to join us again this year in making the event safe and fun for the athletes.

For detailed course maps, go to http://rev3tri.com/maine/news-me/. You can also “Like” the event on Facebook for local up-to-date information on volunteering, course announcements, etc., at facebook.com/Rev3OOBVolunteer.

Direct volunteer inquiries to Trish Carruthers, Rev3 local volunteer coordinator, at rev3oobvolunteer@gmail.com. Direct all other questions to Will Thomas, Rev3 local race director at will@tri-maine.com.

Dr. Zev Myerowitz, Jr., right, of Cape Elizabeth, crosses the bridge along the Eastern Trail in the Scarborough Marsh in last year’s Rev3 triathlon. The race returns to Old Orchard Beach Aug. 25. File photo