It may seem like an unlikely combination — an octogenarian, a 50-something diabetic, and a longtime runner — but this Wareham team will take on Onset's Escape the Cape triathlon on Saturday with one goal: to finish.

"One of the things that would set this group apart is we're not in it to win it," 81-year-old Onset resident Richard Wheeler, who will complete the swimming portion of the triathlon, said with a smile. But, he noted, the teammates will have won just by showing up.

The team formed at about this time last year, explained East Wareham resident Larry McDonald, who also serves on the town's Finance Committee.

"I found out I was a diabetic, 'type 2,' and I needed to do something," McDonald said.

McDonald and his son, 21-year-old Brian, bought bikes and started riding, but McDonald decided that he needed a goal, something to focus on in his quest to lose weight.

He decided he would participate in the third annual Escape the Cape triathlon. Hosted by race director Max Performance, the triathlon course features a 1/3-mile swim, 10-mile bike, and 3.1-mile run.

Meanwhile, McDonald's wife, Liz, threw out "all the good food" in the house, McDonald said.

He emphasized: "I'm talking good food. Nutter Butters, Oreos..."

McDonald then approached Wheeler, a friend and his "hero," he explained, for help with training. McDonald thought, who better to train him than Wheeler, an avid swimmer who has quite possibly spent more time in the water than on land in his lifetime?

"This guy was prepared to do the bike and the swim," said Wheeler, recalling the initial conversation he had with McDonald. "I thought that was biting off more than he could chew."

McDonald recalled Wheeler's reaction: "His first response was, 'No, I want to swim!'"

So Wheeler, who has not participated in a triathlon before, will complete the swim — which starts at Shell Point and ends at Onset Pier.

"It'll be exciting to be a part of that big event," Wheeler said, noting: "I've done that course!"

Wheeler prepared for the 2011 Waikiki Roughwater Challenge, a 2.3-mile ocean swim held in Hawaii, by swimming across Onset Bay.

Onset resident Dolores Cleek, who participated on a team during the first Escape the Cape triathlon in 2010, will complete the running portion of the race. She didn't hesitate when McDonald asked her to participate.

"When I did the first [Escape the Cape] triathlon ... Larry was there to cheer me on," said Cleek, who is from Atlanta and has participated in a number of the city's famous Peachtree road races. "I think it's going to be very exciting."

The younger McDonald has been training his dad in cycling.

"I'm a harsh trainer," Brian noted.

The two have been cycling every other day around their neighborhood, taking long trips on the weekends, and training in other areas at the Gleason Family YMCA.

McDonald said he's not yet nervous about the big event.

"It's a celebration," he noted. "I've lost 70 pounds!"

Escape the Cape is going from a one-day to a two-day event this year. The Saturday race is co-ed as in past years, while a women-only triathlon, called Title 9, will take place on Sunday.

Max Performance organizes other races that are just for women. Race director Tim Richmond said the company wanted to expand that offering.

"It's always a different race experience when just women are a part of it," Richmond said. "The camaraderie is different. It's such a great spirit, a great atmosphere."

Saturday's race will have more than 700 participants, while the new women-only race will have nearly 300 athletes, Richmond noted.

The community is encouraged to stop by and cheer on the participants. Family-friendly activities and face-painting will be available for children. The races begin at 8 a.m. on both days.

"We thank the community for welcoming us again," said Richmond, adding that he expects anywhere from 1,500 to 2,000 people coming into Onset for the events. "We're excited."

Anyone interested in volunteering to help with the event may contact Richmond at trichmond@maxperformanceonline.com.

Visit WarehamVillageSoup.com on Saturday and Sunday for Escape the Cape coverage! Are you a Wareham resident participating in either of the races? Tell us! E-mail jaime@warehamweek.com.