In 2011, Gulfport's Sam Henderson hatched a plan: Hold a triathlon in Gulfport that's based on weirdness, not fitness.Four years later, Henderson leads the town as mayor, but he still leads (at least, at the start) the now-annual Keep Gulfport Weird Mini Triathlon. The mini triathlon includes a one mile run, three mile bike ride and quarter-mile swim.
Last year, a couple wed shortly before the race, which the bride completed in her bridal gown.
This year, expect more weirdness on Sept, 27, when the fourth annual Keep Gulfport Weird mini triathlon starts at 7 a.m. at the corner of Gulfport and Beach boulevards. Registration costs $10 and (for those registering before Sept.19) includes a T-shirt. Register at the city of Gulfport's Web site. Bonus: The triathlon takes place the same day as the So49 Tangerine Blues Festival, which starts at noon with the Urban Gypsies.
Keep Gulfport Weird is not a chip-timed event, something that caused some dismay for a few athletes at the 2013 event.
If you want something almost as weird but more athlete-focused, sign up for the Gulfport Historical Society's Flying Mullet 5K and One Mile Doggie Dash.
This Friday night event starts at the Gulfport History Museum and ends downtown, where all runners get a free beer at a local bar or restaurant (dogs get free water and a goodie bag). This is a chip timed race, and while it can't hold a candle the weird quotient of the Keep Gulfport Weird tri, it's still a race in honor of a fish.