WASHINGTON PARK — Training for a triathlon is no easy task. It’s one that requires months of discipline, extensive regimenting and even dieting in some cases.

The timeframe needed to prepare for this kind of race is much different than a marathon and can require anywhere from 12 to 18 weeks of continuous training.

On Saturday, dozens of athletes from all over North Carolina will assemble on the waterfront in Washington Park to take on the area’s most intimidating and physically demanding three-pronged race, the Washington Olympic Triathlon.

For race traffic and the triathletes the town has designated the Haven’s Gardens parking lot and the boat ramp parking lot before the Runyon Creek Bridge, as well as the lot just up the road on the north side of River Road. All runners must park in the labeled lots.

Riverside Drive will serve as the start line and transition area, or the location where the swimmers mount bikes and the bikers begin their run. It will also serve as the finish line for the runners.

According to the map now available online at fsseries.com, the triathlon will begin with the swim, starting on Walnut Street just to the right of the transition area. The athletes will swim straight and loop around two marked buoys for a total of 1500 meters, eventually ending in the transition area.

Next, competitors must bike down a series of side streets, including portions on Goose Creek Road and Harvey Road. The longest stretch of the 24 mile bike will be from Brick Kiln Road down U.S. Highway 264 to Camp Leach Road. The straightaway makes up 10 of the route’s 24 miles.

The final leg of the competition will be a 10-kilometer run from the transition area, across the Runyon Creek Bridge and to the end of Stewart Parkway. Runners will then turn around to complete the final five kilometers and finish.

For those unwilling to tackle the nearly 40-mile race, a smaller version, or “sprint,” will kick off at 8:30 a.m. Saturday and will consist of a 750-meter swim, 12.5-mile bike and 3.1-mile run, condensed versions of the longer race’s routes.

The Olympic triathlon will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, as today is the final day of registration. Visit fsseries.com to sign up. Race director Jason Biggs is also looking for volunteers. If you’re interested in volunteering you can sign up by emailing esnouf@aol.