As the early morning sun's golden rays peeked over the horizon, a line 30-yards long was filled with competitors signing up for the Tinsel Triathlon at West Valley High School last Sunday. And when the registrations finished, 1,318 runners, skaters, swimmers, and bicyclists had entered in the 26th year of the fundraising event sponsored by the Central County United Way.

Among the competitors were fi ve smiling and energetic young women from the City of Orange – Stacy Gardner, Kerri Edlund, Vickie Dwyer, Heather Aufdemberg, and Rose Hasselbeck.

These fi ve friends sported festive, matching costumes: short skirts that swished and glittered of red and silver. Mrs. Clause hats all soft and pink and tasseled. And their runner's legs were adorned in knee-length socks, striped in red and pink, and white and silver. The ladies of Orange – donned in one of the more Christmassy outfi ts - tagged themselves as "Team Sparkle."

It's their second year in the Tinsel Triathlon, and they said its an event they wouldn't dream of missing.

"We do several triathlons, but we have so much fun in this one," said Gardner. "We like dressing up in our costumes. For us, this is all about having fun."

So much fun in fact that they leave their husbands at home to babysit the kids, while Team Sparkle leaves a day early and spends the night at a hotel in Riverside.

"We thought about asking our husbands," added Dwyer, "but we decided this is women's time and they could watch the kids."

Competitors came from throughout southern California and as far away as Canada to participate in the 5k run, 12-mile bike ride, and the 150-meter swim in West Valley's pool.

And there's also the halfmarathon inline skate. Now in its third year, the inline skate became an offi cial timed event this year. United Way president and CEO Bob Duistermars encouraged the skaters to spread the word, so that the event can become even more popular.

"Next year we're going to do it even better," Duistermars said during the awards ceremony. "We love you guys. Bring your friends."

The triathlon began with the 5k, then shifted to the bicycle event, and finished with two laps around the pool. Finishing first in the ladies age 40-44 division was Brigid Freyne, 41, of Temecula. Her time of 20:44 edged out runner-up Polly Crawford at 20:28.

This was Freyne's fifth Tinsel Triathlon. She said the event is for everyone, but it does bring out some serious competitors.

"In December there are so few (triathlons)," Freyne said. "So people come out because it's one of the last of the year and want to end on a high note. It's very festive, a great event."

Not only great for the participants, but also for the many people in need that the United Way serves.

Central County United Way Vice President of Operations and Tinsel Triathlon Director, Connie Hall, said that about $97,000 was raised by the event that helps fund the Fingerprints Youth Museum, Senior Home Repair, and several other programs.

The triathlon has a huge financial impact on the community as well.

"Over 90-percent of our Tinsel population travels from out of the area," Hall said. "The support from the community was spectacular (140 volunteers).

Local preferred hotels were at capacity, restaurants were humming before and after the triathlon, and gas stations were pumping. It was a good day for the City of Hemet and the Central County United Way."

Lee Fischer, 57, is one of the many out of the area participants Hall spoke of. The Highland resident didn't break any records with his overall time of 1:49:36. But that didn't matter much. For Fischer it was all about togetherness.

"This is about being here with my family and friends, having fun, and survival," Fischer said with a smile.

For offi cial times, visit www. svetiming.com. And to learn more about the Tinsel Triathlon, visit www.tinseltriathlon.com.