A Kids of Steel triathlon, hosted by the Hecla Triathlon, is coming to Arborg this summer.
The triathlon is for children between six and 15 years old. Race director Paula Anderson said the Sulong Triathlon Group has wanted to hold an event for children for a while but didn’t have the ability to in Lake Winnipeg.
“It’s just never played out properly,” she said. “We’ve always wanted to be inclusive and have that kid’s option.”
Anderson completed her first triathlon around 10 years ago in Riding Mountain National Park. Knowing she could swim, bike, and run, she decided to try it, and said she probably underestimated how difficult the three sports are to do in succession. When Anderson first stated, she was doing a 750-metre swim, a 20-kilometer bike, and a 5-kilometer run. The most common one she does today is the Olympic distance, which is a 1.5-kilometre swim, a 40-kilometre bike, and a 10-kilometre run. Anderson’s favourite race, though, is the long one, and the only place she can do it in Manitoba is at the Hecla Triathlon. That race includes a 1.9-kilometre swim, a 90-kilometre bike, and a half marathon run.
“It’s the challenge to push yourself,” she said. “Any day can bring anything. You could get a flat tire and have to figure out how to work through it, or you could be having an off day and just have to finish.”
The Interlake Kids of Steel triathlon will be in Arborg on July 6. Children six to seven years old will do a 50-metre swim, a 1.5-kilometer bike, and a 500-metre run. Children eight to nine years old will do a 100-metre swim, a 3.2-kilometre bike, and a one-kilometre run. Children 10 to 11 years old will do a 200-metre swim, a 6.4-kilometre bike, and a two-kilometre run. Children 12 to 13 years old will do a 200-metre swim, a 6.4-kilometre bike, and a two-kilometre run, or if they prefer the longer race, a 300-metre swim, 9.6-kilometre bike, and a three-kilometre run. Children 14 and 15 years old will do a 500-metre swim, a 9.6-kilometre bike, and a four-kilometre run.
Athletes between the ages of 10 and 15 are also eligible to qualify for the 2024 Manitoba Summer Games, which will be held in Dauphin.
The Interlake Kids of Steel triathlon will start at the Access Credit Union Aquatic Centre in Arborg, where the athletes will complete their swim. Once done, they’ll head outside to the bike racks, put their shoes and helmets on, and set out to complete their bike ride. That ride will take them to the Collegiate and back to the Aquatic Centre, the older ages doing the loop a few times. After that, the athletes will complete their run, taking them to the ball diamonds, around the track, and through an inflatable finish line.
Throughout each portion of the race, adult volunteers will count laps and distances for the children.
“We try to make the environment as safe as we can,” said Anderson. “We want everyone to have fun.”
Anderson said doing a triathlon is a great way to challenge yourself. She finds it easy to stay focused when training because of the three sports to focus on, keeping it interesting. She said the triathlon community in Manitoba is also very tight-knit and welcoming, a sort of family that pushes each other and has fun doing it.
“You leave feeling very accomplished once you’re done no matter if you did exceptionally well or had a poor day,” she said. “You still put it out there.”
The Interlake Kids of Steel triathlon registration is open until Thursday, July 4. Registration before May 15 is $30 per athlete; after that, but before June 30, it is $35, and after that, but before July 5, it is $40. To learn more about the triathlon or to register your child, go to www.heclatri.com.
