Ottawa Kids Triathlon Healthy activity for “kids of steel”
It takes about 50-75 volunteers on race day to help out with the check-in, swim, bike and run segments, transition zones, postrace snacks and awards, first aid and announcements.
A GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS is making sure Ottawa children get a chance to have fun and test themselves in the Kids of Steel triathlons, duathlons (run, bike, run) and clinics this summer. The volunteers, who call themselves the Ottawa Kids Triathlon, have organized 19 tri races since 2001. The races – for children from six to 15 – are sanctioned by the Ontario Association of Triathletes. The group says it expects to have about 5,000 participations of children from six to 15 at races and skills clinics at its Westboro Beach Kids of Steel Triathlon and FunDu on August 19. The group received a $35,000 Trillium Foundation grant in 2004 to buy equipment; the Foundation relies on other cash and in-kind sponsors each year to keep entry costs (they range from $15 to $30) down to ensure that all kids who want to enter are able to do so. For more info check out www.triathlonontario.com and www.ottawakidstri.ca.
Volunteers supervise the bike mount area. The swim, bike and run distances vary for each age group.
On June 11 about 25 athletes aged five and under participated in a Fun Du (run-bike-run) at the Goulbourn Recreation Centre in Stittsville.
www.OttawaOutdoors.ca
OTTAWAOUTDOORS SUMMER/FALL 2006
5
