Kidz Triathlon

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TriColumbia Kidz Triathlon provides youth ages 7-15 the opportunity to experience a healthy, fit lifestyle while boosting self-esteem in a fun, family-friendly environment. Kids experience the thrill of a real triathlon just like their adult role models. The event includes chip timing, age group awards, professional photography by ASI, a post race food tent and party, great music and fabulous volunteers.

Parents, please be sure to check the email account used to register your child for important pre-race information. You may also read all pre-race emails on our Newsletter Archives Page.

Mandatory Bike & Helmet Safety Checks

All entrants are required to have their bikes and helmets checked for safety at the Official Race Bike Support Shop, Princeton Sports (410) 995-1894, 10730 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD 21044, or 6239 Falls Rd., Baltimore, MD 21209. No appointment is necessary. Princeton Sports will be checking all major bike components free of charge to help ensure a safe bike leg. You must bring your CPSC-certified helmet and your race day bike. The age of your helmet does not matter as long as it is ANSI or CPSC approved and in good condition (look inside the helmet for designation.) This is a USAT rule and requirement. You are strongly advised to have your bike inspected at Princeton Sports in the weeks prior to the event, and not at the venue on race morning, to be sure that parts are available should something need to be fixed prior to the event.

If you do not have an approved bike helmet or bike that has been inspected for safety, you will not be permitted to participate.

In 2012, The TriColumbia Kidz Triathlon, through a special partnership with the TRI-TO "WIN-THE-FIGHT” Frederick Kids Triathlon, and the MINI COW TRI CLUB, will once again be part of the first of its kind youth triathlon series in Maryland, promoting sun-safe practices, encouraging healthy lifestyle choices through multisport and showing kids that fit is fun and winning is finishing what you start!

ABOUT THE MARYLAND YOUTH TRIATHLON SERIES

The Maryland Youth Triathlon Series was formed to drive awareness of Melanoma skin cancer among adolescents and young adults and support the Joanna M. Nicolay Melanoma Foundation. Melanoma skin cancer is the most common cancer among young adults ages 25-29 and the second most common cancer in adolescents and young adults 15-29 years old. Based in Maryland, the Joanna M. Nicolay Melanoma Foundation is a leading international voice for melanoma prevention, detection, care and cure. The Foundation promotes melanoma awareness through its "WIN-THE-FIGHT" initiatives including the TRI-TO "WIN-THE-FIGHT” Frederick Kids Triathlon.
 

ENCOURAGING PARTICIPATION

All children completing at least two 2011 Maryland Youth Triathlon Series events received a certificate of recognition from the State of Maryland. Children completing three events also received a Maryland Youth Triathlon Series sun-safe hat. And, for each race a child completed he/she received an entry (up to a maximum of four entries) for a chance to win one of 10 grand prizes worth $40 at the end of the series!

Youth fitness advocate and triathlete role model, Hunter Lussi, made appearances at all four Maryland Youth Triathlon Series events, and all children participating received a signed copy of Hunter’s book, America, Get Off the Couch! See more on Hunter below.

FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY

As participants in The TriColumbia Kidz Triathlon and the Maryland Youth Triathlon Series, kids have the unique opportunity to raise awareness and funds for the Joanna M. Nicolay Melenoma Foundation, through personal fundraising made easy by creating your very own online fundraising page. In 2011 there were some great incentive gifts built in.  By recruiting donors, fundraisers were able to earn baseball tickets for the Frederick Keys, Bowie Baysox or Aberdeen Ironbirds AND with a little extra effort, a $50 Dicks Sporting Goods gift certificate or family sun-shade canopy!

The 2012 Maryland Youth Triathlon Series

SERIES EVENT 1 —  Frederick Kids Triathlon, Frederick, MD
The TRI-TO "WIN-THE-FIGHT" Frederick Kids Triathlon offers a safe, non-competitive experience for children ages 6 to 13 and provides important lessons on staying "safe" in the sun to "win the fight" against melanoma skin cancer. All race proceeds benefit the Joanna M. Nicolay Melanoma Foundation.

SERIES EVENT 2 —  TriColumbia Kidz Triathlon, Columbia, MD
The TriColumbia Kidz Triathlon provides children ages 7 to 15 the opportunity to experience a healthy, fit lifestyle while boosting self-esteem in a fun, family-friendly environment. Kids experience the thrill of a real triathlon just like their adult role models. Fit is fun and winning is finishing what you start.

SERIES EVENT 3 —  Nottingham Kids Triathlon, Mount Airy, MD
The Nottingham Kids Triathlon, presented by the MINI COW TRI CLUB, encourages healthy lifestyle choices through multisport with an emphasis on fun! Open to all knights and maidens ages 7 to 14, it was named the USA Triathlon Mid-Atlantic Youth Regional Championship for 2011.

MEET HUNTER LUSSI

Hunter Lussi completed his first triathlon at the age of six. At 13, Hunter became the youngest person to complete an ultra distance triathlon (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run). He has written two books, America, Get Off the Couch! and A Healthy America is One Bite Away, launched his own fitness program, America's Tri for Health, and is a familiar face on Capitol Hill as an advocate in the fight against childhood obesity. Now, at 17, the Maryland native is lending his voice to the Maryland Youth Triathlon Series, helping to spread the Joanna M. Nicolay Melanoma Foundation's sun-safe message and encourage healthy lifestyle choices through multisport.

My son had a blast at the TriColumbia Kidz Triathlon.  It was a mini version of an adult event with all the bells and whistles – body marking, timing, goodie bag, race shirt, awards, finishers medal and post race party filled with healthy snacks. But the best thing was how it made him feel about himself; confident and proud of his accomplishment. He was all smiles as he crossed the finish line, and can't wait to "tri" again!

    ~ Sue C., Parent

TriColumbia's Kidz Triathlon is every bit as great as their other first-class events. Staff and volunteers made the day extra special for my kids.  The logistics and race amenities were all terrific, and my kids are now hooked on doing more triathlons. In today's world, it's great to have them involved in an activity that involves staying fit and healthy and the Kidz Triathlon does just that.

    ~ Cindy J., Parent

I feel really proud that I did a triathlon. I had so much fun and can’t wait to do it next year!

    ~ Noah, Kidz Age Group Triathlete