Organizers of the Redy, Set, Let’s Go! Youth Triathlon are making final preparations for Aroostook County’s first event held exclusively for the area’s youngest triathletes.
“Everything is coming together nicely,” said Reegan Brown, triathlon coordinator. “The course has been mapped out, we have a great group of volunteers, and the participants have been preparing.”
The triathlon, presented by the University of Maine at Presque Isle, Healthy Aroostook, and The Aroostook Medical Center, is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 9 at 1 p.m. beginning at UMPI’s Gentile Hall. Event organizers expect between 70 and 75 youth to participate in the event.
“Our goal was to sign up at least 50 youth,” added Brown. “We have almost 70 participants at this point, and we’re still adding kids. We are so pleased with the response.”
The youth triathlon, like the adult version of the sport, will consist of swimming, biking and running. Triathletes between the ages of 7 and 9 will swim 50 yards, bike two miles, and run one-half mile. Participants between the ages of 10 and 13 will swim 100 yards, bike 2.5 miles, and run one mile.
Popular local mascot Redy will be on hand to encourage triathletes to stay active, eat a healthy diet and avoid spending too much time in front of the television. Event organizers named the triathlon after the well-known mascot because he embodies what the triathlon is all about, which is providing kids with an opportunity to get active in a fun, safe and supportive environment.
The University of Maine at Presque Isle will host the event. Participants will have an opportunity to swim in the Gentile Hall pool and run and bike through much of the scenic campus. University officials are looking forward to welcoming triathletes, their families and volunteers to campus.
“We are so excited to be involved in the area’s first-ever youth triathlon and to join with TAMC and Healthy Aroostook for a day focused on physical activity and healthy lifestyles,” UMPI President Linda Schott said. “We can’t wait to see local youth competing in the pool and zipping through campus on their bikes. And we’re so pleased to have many of our faculty, staff and students helping out as volunteers. This is going to be a wonderful event and we invite everyone in the community to join us on campus to cheer on the triathletes.”
According to Brown, helping participants stay safe while navigating the course is organizers’ top priority. In order to ensure that participants have a fun, safe day, over 70 volunteers have been recruited to help on the course, in the transition station, and in the pool.
“Our volunteers are the lifeblood of the event,” said Brown. “They are going to provide direction, manage the transition station, and so much more. Our entire team is committed to making sure that the triathletes have a great time and stay safe.”
Triathlon organizers have been helping participants reduce their risk of injury by emphasizing preparation. Many triathletes have been preparing at monthly training sessions that have been held at UMPI throughout the summer. The sessions have helped participants increase endurance in the pool, become familiar with the course, and build physical skills that will help them stay strong during the event.
“Our training sessions have been quite successful,” said Brown. “From swimming to yoga and Zumba to running, we have offered a wide range of activities for participants to come out and try for no additional cost.”
It is the event’s low cost and commitment to encouraging healthy activity that initially caused The Aroostook Medical Center to become involved.
“Youth obesity continues to be a significant problem in Aroostook County and throughout Maine,” said Sylvia Getman, TAMC president and CEO. “TAMC is always looking for ways to make it easy and fun for kids to get active and build healthy habits that can last a lifetime. The TAMC team is looking forward to volunteering at the triathlon and cheering on the triathletes.”
The triathlon is still a few days away, and organizers are looking forward to welcoming youth from all over Aroostook County.
“We think it’s going to be a lot of fun for the young triathletes and their families,” said Brown. “We encourage the community to come out and support them.”
More information about the triathlon is available at www.redyyouthtriathlon.org.
