OLD ORCHARD BEACH – The Revolution3 triathlon series returns to southern Maine on Sunday, Aug. 25. The event brings elite athletes from across the world to Old Orchard Beach to compete.

Rev3 bills itself as changing the way athletes and spectators participate in triathlons. The organization provides activities for children and family members during the race.

“The weather, I think, is going to be good, and it’s just a wonderful event to have in our community,” says Bud Harmon, executive director of the Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce. “We’re preparing for it, have been preparing for it for about nine months.”

Throughout 2013, Rev3 is holding a series of triathlons across the United States, from Florida to Wyoming to Wisconsin to South Carolina. Many of the events are held in locales that, like Old Orchard Beach, are renowned tourist destinations.

2013 is Rev3’s second year in Old Orchard Beach. “It’s really growing each year, even though it’s only been two years the first year was the fastest pre-registered race they have, and they run them nationally and internationally,” Harmon says. “And this year, same thing happened, where they had to actually re-open registration to allow another 200 athletes to register.”

Last year, Harmon says, 1,000 athletes took part; this year, he estimates, 1,200-1,300 will cover the course.

Multiple competitions will take place on Sunday, including a “Half REV.” This “middle distance” race is comprised of a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run, and is considered a mental and physical test and a stepping stone for athletes interested in the Full Rev, which doubles those distances.

In addition, the “sheJAMs Olympic REV” will follow up the recent Tri for a Cure’s massive success in raising money to fight cancer. The Tri for a Cure, held in mid-July in South Portland, was co-founded by Julie Marchese. Marchese and three friends, Andrea Brown, Melissa Smith and Coreen Lauren, together established sheJAMs, a Portland-based club for women looking to train together.

The sheJAMs Olympic REV includes a .93 mile swim, a 24.86 mile bike trek and a 6.2 mile run. As with the Tri for a Cure, funds raised go to the Maine Cancer Foundation.

Finally, “new this year also is a glow run.”

“Anyone can race in that and just do the run it’s on the beach…It’s not just about Olympic competition. It’s about a fun weekend for families and people of all ages,” Harmon says.

The glow run is part-athletic event and part-party. Glowsticks and other flashy regalia steep participants in a celebratory atmosphere.

The Rev3 is an economic boon for Old Orchard Beach, which, Harmon notes, starts to see drop-offs in its tourist numbers at this time of year, as the summer begins to wind down. Since many athletes come from afar, they fill hotel vacancies, and since many bring their families, the influx of buying power isn’t limited to just the number of race registrants.

“It means dollars into the community,” says Harmon. “It’s a win-win for everyone.”

Harmon imagines an individual, taking a room and meals for a weekend, spending $200-$250 to attend and participate in the Rev3. He guesses a family of four might spend around $325.

“Some come in for the week just to train in the area; some come in the night before, and some come in the day of registration,” Harmon says. “Not everyone stays over, but for the most part, they come from all over.”

“I think last year we had something like 38 states represented and 13 countries. So this year I would expect that to be a little higher,” he adds.

“I just see it as an event that’s going to continue to grow,” Harmon says. “It’s exactly the type of event we like bringing into the area. We’ve really focused in the last 10 years on being a family environment and have been quite successful at that.”

One concern spectators or athletes may have is the sheer volume of vehicles and people crowding the hamlet of Old Orchard Beach. But Harmon is unfazed by such numbers. “We’re all pretty good at handling these types of crowds,” he says. “For us it’s just another weekend, and bring it on.”

Rev3 is still looking for volunteers to assist in organizing and executing the event. Local businesses, service clubs, youth groups and residents are all encouraged to get involved and earn donations for their cause. Go online to www.rev3tri.com and click under the “News” tab to sign up to volunteer or for more information.

Athlete Information Name: Thomas Dolan Bib #: 316 Home town: Cape Elizabeth ME – USA Status: OK Division: 45-49 Male Wave: Men and Women 45 and older, Relays Swim Location Arrival Time Total Time Split Place Time Behind Leader Split Time Course Time Pace Distance Division Overall Gender Wave Division Overall Gender Wave Swim Finish 8/26/2012 7:53:27 AM 00:33:26.306 33:26 33:26 02:14 /100m 1500.07 m 16 / 19 202 / 300 134 / 175 54 / 95 08:40 15:08 15:08 12:10 Bike Location Arrival Time Total Time Split Place Time Behind Leader Split Time Course Time Pace Distance Division Overall Gender Wave Division Overall Gender Wave Bike Start 8/26/2012 8:00:16 AM 00:40:15.890 00:00 00:00 0.00 mph 0.00 mi 16 / 19 212 / 300 139 / 175 58 / 95 10:08 18:30 18:30 14:50 Bike Split 1 8/26/2012 8:43:47 AM 01:23:46.730 00:00 43:31 0.00 mph 13.30 mi 16 / 19 219 / 300 147 / 175 58 / 95 19:06 28:51 28:51 25:52 Bike Finish 8/26/2012 9:23:41 AM 02:03:40.626 39:54 1:23:25 17.29 mph 11.50 mi 16 / 19 211 / 300 144 / 175 56 / 95 27:29 37:44 37:44 33:54 Run Location Arrival Time Total Time Split Place Time Behind Leader Split Time Course Time Pace Distance Division Overall Gender Wave Division Overall Gender Wave Run Start 8/26/2012 9:27:58 AM 02:07:57.253 00:00 00:00 00:00 /mi 0.00 mi 16 / 19 224 / 300 152 / 175 57 / 95 30:20 41:09 41:09 36:59 Run Split 1 8/26/2012 10:07:17 AM 02:47:16.033 39:19 39:19 12:41 /mi 3.10 mi 17 / 19 252 / 300 159 / 175 67 / 95 45:26 1:03:05 1:03:05 54:15 Run Finish 8/26/2012 10:43:45 AM 03:23:44.443 36:28 1:15:47 11:46 /mi 3.10 mi 18 / 19 263 / 300 165 / 175 72 / 95 57:37 1:22:11 1:22:11 1:08:20 Transition(s) Transition Time Swim to Bike 06:50 Bike to Run 04:17 Athlete Information Name: Penny Armstrong Bib #: 190 Home town: cape elizabeth ME – USA Status: OK Division: 65-69 Female Wave: Men and Women 45 and older, Relays Swim Location Arrival Time Total Time Split Place Time Behind Leader Split Time Course Time Pace Distance Division Overall Gender Wave Division OveName: Kate Good Bib #: 398 Home town: south Portland ME – USA Status: OK Division: 35-39 Female Wave: Men & Women 35-39, Men & Women 40-44, Athenas The Revolution3 triathlon comes to OOB and surrounding for the first time.The Revolution3 triathlon comes to OOB and surrounding for the first time. Name: Ciaran Mokriski Bib #: 774 Home town: Scarborough ME – USA Status: OK Division: 35-39 Male Wave: Men 30-34, Men 35-39