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Kid's Triathlon

Rossland kids compete in triathlon
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Linden Smutny-Fontaine of Rossland competes in bicycle leg of the triathlon.

Trail Parks & Recreation hosted the second annual kid’s triathlon last weekend. On Saturday, August 13 Butler Park and the Trail Aquatic Center were abuzz with excitement with 65 kids registered with ages four to 12 participating in this fun event. Sunny skies welcomed families from as far as Winlaw to as close to home as Rossland.

Some children from the area were given the opportunity to be involved in the Kids of Steel (KOS) program this past June to prepare, with support from TECK. According to Triathlon Canada, Kids of Steel is designed to offer kids and young adults the chance to experience the sport of triathlon in a positive environment. The distances are much shorter than those in adult triathlons and change as participants mature. Most kids are fit enough to finish a KOS triathlon successfully and have fun at the same time. Every province has its own series of youth triathlons that may or may not bear the name KOS. Any race that is sanctioned by the provincial association can be considered safe and is entitles to use the KIDS OF STEEL title.

The kids develop some great friendships and have a lot of fun in the process. The sport of triathlon offers a healthy lifestyle for families, lots of fresh air and activity.

Check in began at 9 a.m. Saturday with the first race starting at 10 a.m. for the 4-years olds. Each group began in the pool with a swim in length from 1 width (20 meters) to the oldest group reaching 4 laps (100 meters). Then a quick paced walk brought the kids outside to the transition area to gear up for biking in the next section. Biking laps started with kids on tricycles or bikes for .35 km to 3.4 km for the 11 and 12 year olds. After the biking there was yet one more transition time to the running component with laps of length around Butler Park from .4 km to 1.4 km.

KBS Radio’s Chris Kuchar was on sight to commentate as the kids reached the finish line at home plate. Always a full burst of final energy and cheers from the crowd echoed, as each kid came in to the finish.

The event this year included a race package with a t-shirt, swim cap, water bottle, race number, a participation award and a healthy food and beverage post race celebration for the whole family.

This event was sponsored with support from TECK, Gerick Sports, Maglio Building Centre, Inspiring Wellness & Learning, Subway, Van Hellemond Sporte, Safe Start Safety, Kootenay Savings and many, many volunteers from the surrounding communities.