ARLINGTON — This year’s Arlington Frontier Days kick off with a heavy work-out. The Arlington-Smokey Point Chamber of Commerce is hosting the Peddle, Paddle, Puff Triathlon as one of the first events of the Fourth of July.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. on July 4, and the triathlon begins at 10 a.m. at Haller Park.

“Mainly this is a fun, local event,” said Rob Putnam, the triathlon director. “Everybody who is competing, is competing against somebody they know.”

The bikers leave from Haller Park and ride 5.8 miles along State Route 530 to Jordan Road and the Jordan River Trail Park boat launch. From there, competitors hop into their kayaks or canoes to row six miles down the Stillaguamish River back to Haller Park. After that, the runners take off to race for one mile down Centennial Trail and back to the finish line. The total distance is 15.8 miles. “It’s like a mini-triathlon,” said Putnam.

The race hosts five categories —  Family, Local, Open, Iron Woman and Iron Man.

“The Iron Man and Iron Woman racers compete in all three legs,” said Putnam. Those who register in the other categories can tap hands with other racers if they choose to compete in only one leg of the race.

Most people who compete do not preregister although registering before the day of the race is an option. Rules, regulations and registration forms can be retrieved from the city of Arlington website.

“Last year, one person preregistered, but we had 33 entries the day of the race,” said Putnam. In 2011, there were eight Iron Men, three Iron Women, seven open competitors, 10 locals and five families.

Participants must meet all criteria under the rules and regulations in order to win prizes and awards. Cash prizes will be awarded to the first-place winner in each division.

“There’s a $100 dollar prize for first place in each category,” said Putnam. If there are less than three teams in any one category, the prize money will be limited to the entry fee amount.

Individual entry fees are $30 and team fees are $60. Safety is enforced by the Arlington Heights Fire Department and city of Arlington Fire Department during the water leg of the triathlon. The Arlington Police Department will assist in blocking off a portion of the road for the cycling leg of the race.