Kids' Triathlon Gearing up for Annual Event

Do your kids have pent up energy to burn?

The seventh annual School's Out Kids' Triathlon, which is slated for June 9 at Simmons Elementary School, just might be the perfect cure to quell pre-summertime boredom. 

In fact, even a first-grader can do it. The USA Triathlon sanctioned event is intended for kids ages 6 to 14. 

"Most kids can do the race without much training at all, and most children end up completing the race in about 20-30 minutes," Race Director Tracy Frary said, adding that the biking portion is "all on closed trails and it’s not very hilly."

Bicycling, by far, accounts for the largest portion of the race. Depending upon the kid's age, participants would ride either 2.3 miles or 2.8 miles. Running, in comparison, accounts for either one-half mile or three-quarters of a mile. Swimming distances are either 25 yards, 50 yards or 100 yards for kids ages 10 to 14. 

Each year since its inception the fundraising swimming, biking and running contest has generated at least $10,000 for its beneficiaries, according to Frary. Participants can opt to support either The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation, or For Pete's Sake, a cancer respite organization, or both organizations.

Frary said organizers cap the race at 300 total participants because of space constraints, particularly with parking. In addition, she said the race is done in "waves of 12 children," starting about three to five minutes apart, so any more than 300 would be too time-consuming.

So, how can a youngster get ready and set to swim, bike and run? Frary suggests practicing bike-riding followed by a run "so that they get used to that feeling of getting off the bike and getting their legs moving again."

"It can be challenging at first," she said. "For the younger kids, just riding around their neighborhood is probably good enough training – and getting comfortable with other kids riding around them."

To get involved

For more information on the School's Out Kids' Triathlon, click here, or to donate to the event, click here.