Beth Shluger of Waterford, executive director of the Hartford Marathon Foundation, lives on the Niantic River.

So while Shluger takes pride in all of the HMF’s events — there were 32 on the 2017 schedule — Sunday’s Niantic Bay Triathlon is right up her alley, so to speak.

“I like bringing (people) anywhere, all the beautiful places, but especially in my own neighborhood,” Shluger said this week. “There’s no more beautiful place in the United States than the New England shoreline.

“It’s a beautiful swim in Niantic Bay, a bike through East Lyme and then our run takes us through Crescent Beach. … We love to show off the beauty of the community.”

The triathlon begins at 7:30 a.m. at McCook Park Beach with a half-mile swim in Niantic Bay, followed by a 12-mile bike loop through East Lyme with water views and long straightaways. Competitors conclude with a 3.2-mile run. Shluger estimates upwards of 2,000 spectators line the course for the event.

Triathlon relay teams of two or three athletes are welcome.

There is also an aquabike race option for competitors who do not run.

Shluger said more than 600 people are registered. Jason Mager of Norwalk was last year’s overall winner in 1 hour, 3 minutes, 12 seconds. Anna Kudej of Norwich was the women’s winner in 1:10:49.

The Hartford Marathon Foundation has directed the Niantic Bay event since 2000, one of four triathlons under its umbrella.

“We do have a lot of experience and a lot of systems, but we don’t just mail it in,” Shluger said. “All our planning, all our safety plans, it’s not as easy as it looks, hopefully.”

Residents should be aware of traffic impact and limited road closures.

The following will be closed to all vehicles from 7:30-10 a.m.: Columbus Avenue and Atlantic Street.

The following will remain open for use by vehicles and race participants from 7:30-9:30 a.m. Please expect minor delays and use caution: Route 156/Main Street, Route 161/Flanders Road, Pennsylvania Avenue, Haigh Avenue, Crescent Avenue, Terrace Avenue, Prospect Avenue, South Washington Avenue, Beach Avenue, Manwaring Road, Shore Road, Bride Brook Road, Dean Road, Society Road, Riverview Road and Roxbury Road.

v.fulkerson@theday.com