The Ironman World Championship is an annual triathlon held in Hawaii consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2 -mile marathon run. It is widely considered to be the single most difficult one-day sporting event in the world.
The Conway Kids Triathlon on Saturday at Hendrix College takes that event and makes it bite-size to give kids the opportunity to experience training and competing in a triathlon.
The Kids Triathlon is open to children ages 6 to 15. Children ages 11-15 will swim 100 yards, bike 4 miles, and run 1 mile. Children ages 6 to 10 will compete in all three stages, but at half the distances.
Online registration is available until 7 p.m. Friday and costs $25 per entry. There will be no race-day registration.
Each competitor will receive a T-shirt, and finishers will receive a medal.
Packet pickup will be available from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday and 6:15 to 7:15 a.m. Saturday at the Hendrix College Wellness Activity Center.
Organizers suggest that participants begin arriving at 6:15 on race day to set up their towel, shoes and bicycle in the transition area. The transition area will close to parents at 7:45 a.m., and the race will begin at 8. Volunteers will help the children with their transitions throughout the race.
Racers will be chip-timed. An overall award will be presented to the fastest boy and girl from both age divisions, and the top five runners from each age group will be recognized.
Assistive devices such as floaties and training wheels are allowed, but their use disqualifies the racer from winning a trophy.
Helmets are mandatory for the bike course; athletes without a helmet will not be allowed to compete.
After the triathlon is finished, there will be post-race festivities including food and drink, bouncy castles and door prizes, including four new bikes donated by The Ride.
For more information, visit conwaykidstri.com.
ActiveStyle on 08/03/2015