2014 North Texas Kids' Triathlon

Swim, bike, run. Kids?

 
Yep. 553 of them. All splashing and pedal mashing and dashing their way across the UTA campus in a glorious day of youthful fun. On Sunday, September 14th, the 2014 North Texas Kid’s Triathlon invited kids, ranging in age from 6 to15 years, to participate in the USAT sanctioned race.  
                                                                                  


The event is organized each year by the non-profit Kids’ Triathlon, Inc. and is run entirely by volunteers. According to the event website, http://www.northtexaskidstriathlon.org, “what started as a dream of three women who wanted to create a fun, healthy event for kids has blossomed into the Best Kids Triathlon in the World. It is also one of the three largest in the United States.”

Not only does the North Texas Kids’ Triathlon provide a communal opportunity for kids to be active, it also promotes one of the fastest growing sports in the world. In an effort to make the experience positive and hopefully repeated, the event promoters offer free, hands on clinics for the numerous beginning participants and families who are new to the world of triathlons. The educational sessions are led by professional coaches and top triathletes from the area.

A pre-race pep rally, led in part by Rowdy (the Dallas Cowboy’s mascot), fired up the eager competitors for their swim, bike, and run. The juniors took off first, swimming 100 meters, biking 3 miles, then running half a mile. The older athletes competed next, covering double each of the three distances.

Cheering families and volunteers were waiting at the finish line with medals for all. Afterwards, those with energy to spare visited the bounce house and trampolines and enjoyed fellowship with other young competitors and all the supporting cast who made the day possible. Congratulations to all the kids who competed, keep it up! And a special thanks to all the parents and volunteers who helped give these kids a tri!

 
I met Desiree and her mom at Bikes Inc. a month or so ago. This was Desiree's first triathlon. She did fantastic! It was truly inspiring to see her bravery and her skills in all of the disciplines. I think she had the largest cheering section of all! Her mom Carol was one of the numerous parents who  volunteered and helped make the event happen.  

Desiree and her swim coach.

 

 Desiree and her bike coach:)