Tim Richmond, a USA Triathlon certified race director, said that many of the past participants of the annual Escape the Cape Triathlon had never been to Onset before, but they left impressed.

“It’s really the venue and the beauty of Onset that has drawn people back down,” said Richmond, an organizer for event, which will take place for the fifth consecutive year this year on May 31. “A lot of people had never been to Onset before, but when they come down and check it out they’re really impressed with how pretty it is.”

Richmond said that approximately 700 triathletes will descend on Onset Village on the 31st for the race, which features a 1/3-mile, point-to-point swim into Onset Bay, a 10-mile bike leg through Onset Village and Shell Point, and a 3.1-mile run along the East River concluding back in Onset Village.

Richmond said that in the past few years, the weather hasn’t been great for the event—last year the bike portion of the event was cut short due to rain—but organizers are hoping that will change for this year’s event.

We’re really hoping for some great weather this year,” he said.

Not only will there be a race with some of the best competition the area has to offer, but there will also be a series of post-race festivities, with a barbecue supplied by Marc Anthony’s to be held under the large tent near the Band Shell across from Onset Beach, as well as a DJ and an MC who will provide entertainment during and after the race. He also said there would be post-race massages as well.

Richmond said that the start and the finish for the event will in the parking lot by the pier/beach, and the swim begins at Shell Point.

As for the name of the event, Richmond said it’s sort of a mix between two things, with one being an homage to the “Escape from Alcatraz” triathlon in San Francisco, and the other being a way to get a lot of Cape Cod residents off cape for the weekend.

“We wanted to have a little fun with it,” he said. “It’s a fun little play on getting off Cape Cod.”

He also took the time to thank several of their sponsors, and said they are currently looking for volunteers to help coordinate the event.

“We like to thank the local groups that we organized some aspects of the race with,” said Richmond, who mentioned the Gleason Family YMCA, the Wareham Friends of the Bike Path Committee, Wareham Police and EMS, and town administrators, and the Harbormaster’s Department. “They’ve all been great.”

The race begins at 9 a.m., and those interested can register at http:// maxperformanceonline.com/escapethecaperace/.