It will be a fun and challenging day for many youngsters on Sunday, June 24, at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City’s annual Youth Triathlon.
The J’s Youth Triathlon is for kids from ages 4 to 17 and allows youth to compete in a fun setting complete with food, music and a medal for every participant.
The Triathlon will take place at the Jewish Community Campus and the grounds of Sprint, which adjoins the campus. The race is approved and certified by the US Triathlon Association. Competition begins at 7:30 a.m.
“This event is a great way for kids of all fitness levels to set a goal and accomplish it for the summer,” said Erika Aanestad, The J’s assistant director of fitness and sports. “It’s a confidence builder for the kids and very inspiring for the spectators.”
The triathlon includes swimming, a bicycle/tricycle ride and a run. The event is broken down into five different categories based upon age of the participant, with a sixth category for teams. Per USA Triathlon Rules, the race age for an athlete is his/her age on Dec. 31 of this year.
The J and the Youth Triathlon are committed to accessibility and inclusion. Let organizers know in advance of needs for special accommodations.
Participation fees are $25 for Tri for Tots; $35 per individual and $90 per team.
All participants and their parents are required to attend a pre-race orientation session at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 21, in the Social Hall of the Jewish Community Campus. Participants will receive a participant packet, event T-shirt, course information and tips on various aspects of the event.
Race categories and distances:
• TRI FOR TOTS — Ages 4-5. Swim 25 yards in the JCC’s zero-entry pool, bike/trike .75 miles, run .25 mile. This is a non-competitive event with relaxed rules. Floats, water wings, tricycles, training wheels and parents will be allowed on the course.
• SHORT COURSE — Ages 6-8. Swim 50 yards, bike 1.5 miles, run .6 miles.
• INTERMEDIATE — Ages 9-10. Swim 100 yards, bike 3 miles, run 1 mile.
• LONG COURSE — Ages 11-14. Swim 200 meters, bike 6 miles, run 2 miles.
• ELITE COURSE — Ages 15-17. Swim 300 meters, bike 6 miles, run 2 miles.
• TEAM — 2- or 3-member team, ages totaling 24 years and under use intermediate course; ages totaling 25 years and older use long course.
To register for the triathlon go to http://www.active.com; under the word “endurance” click on Triathlon, then type in JCC Youth Triathlon in the search box. For more information on the triathlon contact Erika Aanestad, 913-327-4693.