ACAP receives new grant
to support youth triathlon
PRESQUE ISLE — Aroostook County Action Program, Inc. (ACAP) recently received a grant from the Aroostook County Fund of the Maine Community Foundation to help support the “Redy Set Let’s Go” Youth Triathlon.
“Redy” is the mascot for the Let’s Go program. Let’s Go! Aroostook’s major goal is to increase physical activity and healthy eating for children from birth to age 18 and to reinforce the 5-2-1-0 message so that local youth incorporate it into their daily lives. The 5-2-1-0 message encourages youth to eat five or more fruits and vegetables daily, reduce the amount of time watching TV or playing video games to two hours or less, increase physical activity to one hour or more per day, and move towards zero sugar-sweetened beverages each day.
Healthy Aroostook, a Healthy Maine Partnership and an ACAP program, has partnered with The Aroostook Medical Center (TAMC) and the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI) to bring the first ever triathlon designed specifically for children aged 7 to 13 to Aroostook County in September 2012.
The 2012 event was so successful that it is being brought back for 2013. The triathlon will be held Sept. 8. In 2012, 69 children participated. The goal for 2013 is to have 100 children with a portion of the grant available to provide “scholarships” for those families who are unable to afford the $20 per child entry fee.
Participants are divided into two age groups. The 7-10 year olds swim 50 yards, bike two miles and run a half mile. Participants in the older group, 11-13 year olds, swim 100 yards, bike 2.5 miles and runs a mile.
“This was the first triathlon for a majority of the participants. Because of their positive experience, many have participated in other triathlons downstate and are looking forward to the second Redy Set Let’s Go! event in September,” said Carol Bell, project director for Healthy Aroostook.
