Adam Raisbeck, a Muscatine police officer, presented details of a proposed Muscatine Triathlon to the City Council on Jan. 9 and asked the city to provide public‑works resources and operational support for the inaugural event. “It’s going to be down at Deep Lakes Park,” Raisbeck said, describing the course and community aims.

Nut graf: The proposal asks the city to supply barricades, equipment and personnel support to stage a USA Triathlon‑sanctioned sprint triathlon on the morning of Aug. 2, 2025, with ancillary vendor and family activities intended to draw visitors and support local businesses. Organizers said the event would be a 10‑year commitment by the lead sponsor.

Raisbeck described the race as a sprint triathlon consisting of a 750‑meter swim, a 12.4‑mile bike and a 5‑kilometer run. He said the event will be held at Deep Lakes Park with a transition and finish area near the park beach and a bike route that will use Pettibone, Wiggins, Stewart Road and return segments, with the run on park paths and nearby roads.

Organizers estimate the first‑year startup budget at about $100,000 and said registration revenue and sponsorship will fund the event going forward. Raisbeck said Squincher (identified in the presentation as the main sponsor) committed as a lead sponsor and the race is planned as a USA Triathlon‑sanctioned qualifier that will draw professional athletes. He described a prize purse of $5,000 for first place, $2,000 for second and $1,000 for third in elite divisions for men and women.

Raisbeck told the council he had met with the Muscatine County board and that the county had approved the necessary road closures for the bike route; he asked the city to “pitch in and approve the resources from public works to be able to make the event happen,” citing the need for barricades, equipment staging, vehicles and pre‑race sweeping of the bike route.

Council members and staff discussed logistics: Council member Brackert asked whether Stewart Road construction would conflict with the event; Raisbeck said county engineers and contractors would stage construction so it would not interfere with race day. Council member Lanfey asked about volunteer sign‑up; Raisbeck pointed to muscatinetriathlon.com and said volunteers could also contact him through the police department or coordinate with Katie Hammond of the parks department.

Raisbeck said he aims for a baseline of 500 registrants (cutoff at 650) and that several pros had already inquired. He described plans for a two‑day weekend that would include a vendor “Taste of Muscatine” pre‑race event on Second Street, a post‑race farmer’s market at the park, kids activities and a riverfront evening program to encourage visitors to stay in town.

Ending: The council did not take a formal vote at the meeting. Council members expressed general support and asked staff to coordinate logistics; Raisbeck said he would work with public works and parks staff on a plan and return with specifics as needed.