Most days, officers at the Charleston Police Department are all part of the same team. Saturday will be different.
Four teams comprising 12 officers from the department will attempt to run, row and ride their division's way to bragging rights as the winners of the annual Capital City Challenge.
Officers try to stay in shape, and the triathlon has been a way to infuse a little friendly competition into the mix, said Scot Blankenship, special events coordinator for the department.
"This is a very fun event, especially if you complete as a team," Blankenship said. "I've done it with my kids - they were probably 13 and 9 at the time and they just really had a blast."
Officers from the department's administration, two patrol shifts and the community policing departments will compete in the race, which includes a 4.2-mile run from Magic Island to Daniel Boone Park, a 4.2 mile row on the Kanawha River back to Magic Island and a 16.8-mile bike ride ending at Magic Island.
Blankenship will be rowing for his team.
"It's always good to have a goal to keep you interested," Blankenship said. "Usually I'll just lift weights or run. This is something different."
The police officers are just a few of about 200 participants expected at Saturday's eight-annual Capital City Challenge. Besides the triathlon, there's also a 13K race and, beginning this year, a kids' boot camp that led by trainers from the YMCA, race director Steve Hewitt said.
"We've tried to enhance the event to make it more a family-fitness event," Hewitt said.
The event usually draws between 190 and 230 participants, he said.
"It just depends on the year and the weather," he said. "And we're at the mercy of everyone's fitness level."
Participants can compete as an individual or on a team. With a total of 25.2 miles, the race is nearly as long as a marathon.
"It's the kind of race that it gets very competitive, but most of the people are taking this on as a personal challenge, they want to get in shape, be fit," Hewitt said.
Registration for the event closes Friday, and spectators are welcome.
As far the police department, Blankenship said he doesn't know which team will win. His teammate, Lt. Autumn Davis, has been training hard to do the run for her team, he said.
"The runner representing C shift, is, I think, 27 years old and he's pretty fast - Joshua McMaster. I think if he gives his team a lead after the first leg, it'll be hard to catch up."
Davis said the race will ultimately build camaraderie within the police department. She said she hopes it's an event they can continue to do each year.
"I gets people involved in activity in the city - something positive," Davis said. "As far as the police department goes there's often lot of negativity but you have to look for the positive."
Proceeds from the race benefit the Counseling Connection, a Charleston outpatient mental health services provider.
Races will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday at Magic Island. For more information, see http://runrowridewv.blogspot.com/.
Reach Lori Kersey at lori.kersey@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-1240 or follow @LoriKerseyWV on Twitter.