Rick Tollakson says that triathlons are part of his wellness journey. For that and other reasons, he wants to make sure he can compete in the events close to home.

Tollakson, president and CEO of Hubbell Realty Co., is spearheading an effort to find corporate sponsors for the Des Moines Triathlon, an event that flew under the banner and sponsorship of Hy-Vee Inc. until February, when the West Des Moines company said it was pulling out.

Bill Burke, president of Premier Event Management LLC, was the race director for Hy-Vee, and he has pledged that the event will continue this Labor Day weekend, corporate sponsors or not.

Tollakson believes the business community should stand behind what has become a signature event for professional and amateur athletes drawn to the rigorous sport, which combines running, swimming and bicycling over various distances.

This will be Tollakson’s third year of competing in triathlons. He was drawn to the sport when he decided a few years ago to follow a path to fitness. He is fond of saying, “You might have known me when I was a little heavier.” Many people did; he is no longer a vision of his former self.

Tollakson said he needed to establish a goal when he started hitting the gym. That goal was to compete in triathlons. He took swimming lessons; he learned to run long distances.

“You take lessons and you just practice,” he said.

Another of Tollakson’s driving forces is to be involved in matters large and small that improve the Greater Des Moines community.

“Triathlons have been a major motivating factor in my wellness journey, and I, along with Hubbell Realty, am a strong supporter of downtown Des Moines. The Des Moines Triathlon combines my passion for both areas,” he said.

When Tollakson found out that Burke needed $150,000 in sponsorships to support the Des Moines Triathlon, he started making phone calls to other people in town who, even if they are not triathletes, they are runners and as smitten by fitness as he is.

Larry Zimpleman, chairman and CEO of Principal Financial Group Inc., said his company is unlikely to play a lead role in the new triathlon but will consider helping in some way. Zimpleman said the event is important for Central Iowa and encouraged others to help.

Burke said plans are to continue with Olympic- and Sprint-distance events and to offer a purse that is more in line with other triathlons across the country. A $50,000 purse would make the Des Moines event among the top three in terms of prize money.

He said the $500,000 top prize offered by Hy-Vee was “outrageous.” Burke also produces other world-class triathlon events that include Escape from Alcatraz in San Francisco and the New York City Triathlon.

Burke said 350 people have registered for the Labor Day weekend event, more than had registered by this point last year for the Hy-Vee Triathlon.