GETTING TO KNOW
IRONKIDS
By Catie Case
Parents searching for a way to share their passion for the multisport lifestyle should look no further. The IronKids National Triathlon Series provides children with a great cross-training experience as they compete in age-appropriate swim, bike and run events with an emphasis on fun and healthy competition. IronKids targets youth ranging from 6 to 15 years of age and aims to inspire and motivate youth through sport to lead an active, positive and healthy lifestyle.
Now in its second year, the IronKids National Triathlon Series has expanded to include 12 events throughout the U.S. in locations such as San Diego, Calif., Round Rock, Texas, Seattle, Wash., and Alpharetta, Ga., with the IronKids National Championship taking place in St. Petersburg, Fla. Two of the races in the 2010 series – IronKids Orlando and IronKids Boulder – were scheduled with the Rohto Ironman 70.3 Florida and Rohto Ironman 70.3 Boulder events, a coupling that provides a triathlon experience children and parents could enjoy together.
“World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) is committed to youth fitness in the U.S. and abroad and providing a unique platf orm that allows children to embrace physical activity,” said Ben Fertic, president and CEO of WTC. “IronKids is working to further develop the sport of triathlon while motivating families to improve their well being through exercise.”
Each event offers five age divisions: ages 6-8, ages 9-11, ages 12-15, military and teams. The latter two were introduced to help teach youth about the joy of accomplishing personal goals and the importance of team or group training. The military division allows children of U.S. armed forces members to participate in their age division while competing against each other for qualifying slots to the national championship. The teams division provides the opportunity for youth triathlon teams to be part of a points system with an overall team winner for each race. The coach of the winning team receives a trophy to share with the athletes.
IronKids strives to emphasize sportsmanship and allow youth to find excitement in exercise. Participants range from first-timers looking for a fun after-school activity, to children of triathletes, to kids who aspire to turn professional one day.
For Winter Vinecki, 11, of Salem, Ore., IronKids is a platform to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer research. Vinecki founded “Team Winter,” an official IronKids charity partner, in honor of her father who passed away from the disease in 2009. Last year, her efforts garnered donations of more than $150,000, which went directly to prostate cancer research. Vinecki, who aims to encourage children to be active, serves as an IronKids ambassador and hopes to inspire other participants to support and race for a cause close to their heart.
“IronKids takes me across the U.S. and introduces me to other families and kids who might become inspired to help make a difference in this world,” said Vinecki. “IronKids inspires kids to become active and live a healthier lifestyle, and I encourage them to go one step beyond that and race for a cause, like I do.”
In addition to the race, the series offers an interactive weekend experience for the entire family. Auxiliary activities include IronKids Expo, featuring product sampling, retail, nutrition clinics and activities, and pre-race triathlon clinics with USAT-certified coaches. All finishers receive a commemorative medal, trophies are awarded to the top three finishers in each age group and the top five finishers in each age group qualify for the IronKids National Championship (this year’s took place on Oct. 3 in St. Petersburg, Fla.).
62 USA TRIATHLON FALL 10
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