Atlanta area Parents, interested in a Kids' Tri?

Triathlon Forum
1

. . . I’m trying to gauge interest in a kids triathlon or two in Grant Park for next summer.

Long story short, I’m on a neighborhood group which is working with the City Parks Dept. to improve the Grant Park Pool. This includes programming. This summer was our first working season and we focused on free and subsidized swimming lessons for kids and parent/tots, and trying to get a neighborhood swim team up and running. We had about 10 kids who were consistent with the swim team over the summer, but couldn’t get any of the other summer/outdoor pools together for a meet.

In thinking about how to improve that for next year, I’m considering trying to put on a kids triathlon in Grant Park. In its initial incarnation, it would take place entirely inside the park. That is, swim in the Grant Park Pool (50m, outdoor, 4’deep) and the ride and run would take place on paths within the park, no street riding or running.

Ironkids puts on two races:

Age: 7-10yrs

Swim: 100 meters
Cycle: 5 km/ 3.1 miles
Run: 1 km/.6 miles
Age:11-14yrs

Swim: 200 meters
Cycle: 10 km/ 6.2 miles
Run: 2 km/ 1.2 miles

As a starting point I’m not sure if we can pull off two races, so I was thinking one of 6-10 years old, with some sort of minimal age-group breakout.

I have a pretty good idea of what number we could pull from Grant Park and the surrounding neighborhoods (East Atl, Benteen, Ormewood etc.), but I’m interested if folks from the greater metro area would be interested.

We might tie it in with the Grant Park Shade festival, which includes a 5k run on Saturday and a Criterium on Sunday, so folks could make it a day or a weekend.

So, those of you in the metro Atlanta area with kids, any interest?

T

2

I know that Warren Kitchens put on a kid’s tri in his Alpharetta neighborhood in the past and it was a huge hit. I also live in Alpharetta and have many tri friends with kids. I think your race would be supported by the Northern burbs if it was well publicized.

Good luck and I hope you decide to put it on. I have two boys in that age group that I would bring!

3

Thanks for the reply.

If I do put it on, I’ll be hitting Tri-Atlanta for sure, as well as Dynamo to spread the word north.

It think Grant Park is a great venue for such a race. With the Zoo right there, families could make a full day of it too, even if we don’t tie it in with the Summer Shade festival

I’ll likely post from time to time on this as things progress to keep the lurkers updated.

T

4

You may want to check out Timberman 70.3 series (NH). They have been doing a kids tri following the Sprint on Saturday (the day before the half). It is run very well, Keith Jordan is the director and he puts on an amazing race. He would be a great source of info for a kids tri. Good Luck.

5

Tim,

i coached at dynamo several years ago and still have some contacts there. also have contacts with the emory community swim team as well. let me know how i can help you pull this off. sounds like a great idea.

best,

bill

6

Thanks Bill, I’ll keep this thread and let you know.

I’m meeting with the City Aquatics director next week to get approval to use the pool, and I’m hoping we’ll fit under their insurance for the whole race if we run it as a City Parks Dept event.

T