At what age can children start doing triathlons? Can someone give me more info about them or good web sites.
Thanks, Mike
I would think that a kid can start doing triathlons when they’re able to swim, bike, and run the distance thats being raced?
In Canada we have “Kids of Steel”, which is a nationwide program of lots of really short triathlons for young kids. One of the races had kids as young as 3 puttering about.
My son has done two this summer. He is 11. Races were 150m / 7km / 1.5km and 200m / 8km / 2km. Both done on a mountain bike. Today in Pleasant Prairie I saw lots of 12yo on Litespeeds, Felts, etc - but it is not needed at this point.
I was passed on the run by a 14 year old at a race a few hours ago. Kids are getting faster and starting younger. My son did 3 tris at 7 but there were kids as young as 5 at the SVTC kids tri a few months ago. 25y kickboard swim 1/2 mike bike with training wheels and one lap around the 1/4 mike track. It was awesome to watch.
Heard today that Ironkids was cancelled this year, too bad, great events.
Dave
What part of the country are you in?
By your question I’m assuming your child is under 10, and the distances for that age are typically 100 meter swim, 5 kilometer bike and 1 kilometer run. IronKids sets 7 as the minimum age, but I’ve seen 4-year olds on training wheels do that distance… slowly 
The 7-year olds can take as long as 45 minutes and the 10-year olds can do it in almost 15 minutes depending on the course.
The only stipulation that I have for kids triathlons is that the bike course is on a closed-course, i.e. closed to cars. Little ones are capable of going pretty fast on bikes but don’t have the commensurate handling skills to avoid cars who can’t see them or aren’t paying attention to them.
I don’t know of any web sites, but my kids have been doing it since they were 6, so you can email or PM me and I can give you some guidance.
We have a local kids series that starts them at 7yrs.
I don’t remember the lengths but you can see the entire race course standing in one spot.
A couple of my friends just had their kids in a tri camp for a week. They learned about the sport, including how to transition, and then did races commensurate with their ages. I think there were kids as young as 6, and doing distances as short as 100y/1m/400y. The older kids went a little longer.
And don’t worry about that kid, I think he was juicing. I noticed he needed a shave…
This is awesome.
My son (4) routinely rides his bike (3 miles) as we walk to the video store (we tried 6 miles to DQ once, and that resulting in me carry son – and bike – the last mile home. Ugh). Takes swim lessons. and well … he’s 4 … if he’s moving he’s running or climbing.
I have to look into this … on top of everything else he’ll get to wear clothing that looks like “superhero costumes”.
I’ll search 'round the net and see what I find. If I find anything significant, I’ll post and ask that any of your other interested parents do likewise.
Thanks. RyanB.
My Son did the SA Meek & mighty. He’s 7. 1m/3.5m /100yd
Heard today that Ironkids was cancelled this year, too bad, great events.
Earth Grains (IronKids bread) had a budget crunch and had to restructure some things and in doing so lost the IronKids series director and all the summer races, but once things settled down they got a new director who intends on having a series this Fall.
They are wonderful events, and if there’s one near you I’d try it.
“Illinois Kids Triathlon” (you could also try “Youth”) into Google. Linked me to trifind. Found these races.
Sunday, April 24, 2005 ::: Sullivan, Illinois: Sullivan Youth Triathlon Kids Triathlon Start Time: 11:00 a.m. Location: Sullivan Civic Center Course Info: Swim in heated indoor pool, bike 3 laps around Wyman Park, run out and back in Wyman Park Boys & Girls ages 13-14 and 12 & under: 200 meter swim, 3 mile bike, 1 mile run Boys & Girls ages 9-10 and 8 & under: 100 meter swim, 3 mile bike, 1/2 mile run More: All kids receive a shirt, finisher’s medal, certificate of participation. Directions To Race: From Route 121, turn North on Washington, and that street runs into our parking lot 2005 Results at: sullivanil.us
------------------------------------ Saturday April 30, 2005 ::: Neoga, Illinois: Mattoon Beach Duathlon Duathlon :: Run 3 miles, Bike 18 miles, Run 3 miles Kids Duathlon :: Run ½ mile, Bike 3 miles, Run ½ mile Start Time: 7:30AM - (kids du will start after adult race is complete) Location: Lake Mattoon Beach Price: $35.00 Before March 1, 2005, $40.00 Before April 1,2005 $45 After April 1, 2005 Mattoon Kids Duathlon Will be hald after the adult race • half mile run, 3 mile bike, half mile run • Ages 5-12
-------------------------------- Saturday, June 11, 2005 ::: Quincy, Illinois: Tri Jesus Triathlon Sprint (15 and Older) ::: Swim 400 meters, Bike 13 miles, Run 3.1 miles Youth (aged 11 - 14) ::: Swim 200 meters, Bike 3.1 miles, Run 1.2 miles Kids (10 and Under) ::: Swim 100 meters, Bike 1.6 miles, Run 0.6 miles Time: Sprint is 7:30 AM, Youth/Kids is 10:15 AM Location: Wavering Park Aquatic Center
------------------------------ Saturday, July, 16, 2005 ::: Springfield, Illinois: Dew the Tri for Kids Triathlon Kids ::: Swim 100 yards, Bike 1 mile, Run 1000 yards Location: Center Park on Lake Springfield Course Info: Swim on Lake Springfield at the Beach House - Bike and run inside Center Park Directions To Race: Lake Springfield Beach House off I-55 south of Springfield Illinois 2005 Results At: finishresults.com 2004 Results At: finishresults.com
(above – same weekend as a 1/2IM … Ooooooh)
------------------------------- Sunday, July 17, 2005 ::: Channahon, Illinois: Stroke, Pedal and Jog Kids Triathlon Children’s Triathlon Location: Central Park north of the Arrowhead Community Center in Channahon,IL Phone: 467-7275 2005 Results At: doitsports.com
------------------------------------- Saturday August 20, 2005 ::: Chicago, Illinois: Tri-America KIDS Triathlon Series - Chicago Kids Triathlon 2004 Results At: sommersports.com
--------------------------------------- Saturday, August 27, 2005 ::: Chicago, Illinois: McDonald’s Kids Triathlon Ages 7-10 ::: Swim 100 meters, Bike 2.5 miles, Run 0.6 miles Ages 11-14 ::: Swim 200 meters, Bike 5 miles, Run 1.2 miles Start Time: 9:00 AM Location: Foster Avenue Beach Phone: (773) 404-2372 email: Info@CapriEvents.com Register On-Line At: chicagotriathlon.com Printable Entry Form At: chicagotriathlon.com Price: $37 Open/Age Group, $67 Relay Team Course Info: 7-10 yrs: 100M Swim, 4K Bike, 1K Run; 11-14 yrs: 200M Swim, 8K Bike 2K Run 1999-2004 Results at: Timberline Timing Systems, Inc.
Ha! Did you see the 10 year old that was maybe 1 minute behind you half way through the run?
His pic is here with the others.
WOW! This is a great Forum. I don’t think I have ever received this many quick responses. I thank you all.
A little history:
My kids are 11 (son), 9 (daughter), and another 7 year old daughter (non-athletic but a great fan). The two oldest a very competitive. We have them in all sports but up until this year motorcross was the main sport my two oldest competed in. After some friends lost a child to the sport my wife and I decided to pull the kids out. A shame really considering that they were both very good at it. My daughter had won the series championship in her class and my son took third, they had both also just landed a sponsorship with a large Suzuki dealer. Anyway as you can imagine its been a hard spring and summer for the kids trying to fill a void. We are just glad they are talking to us again!
We purchased them “specialized” mtn bikes (wal-mart ones lasted my kids about two weeks), downhill skis, and just about everything else you can Imagine. We went skiing 10 times just this spring (we live 250 miles from the nearest area). On the 3rd trip they were on Blue runs, and by the 5th they were beating my wife and I down the hill. Now this summer they are doing the same to me on the mtn bikes. The point I am trying to show is that they can not simply just do things to enjoy doing things like normal people, instead they both have to compete. Local sports are great but they like to compete as individuals more than anything else.
Both kids are very strong swimmers, runners, and bike riders. Thats why I am thinking of getting them into this sport. I think they would really enjoy it and it would be great for me to train with them. My only concern is how real is the sport for the kids? I mean is it just a little event to entertain them after the parents compete? we love to travel so this would be right up our alley. I guess I just feel I would be giving my kids a great start in live by getting them into something they will stay fit for, and take into their adulthood.
With that give me you opinion… You are experienced in the sport so any input would be great.
Oh, I don’t mean to come across like my kids are the best at everything they do, I’m just a proud parent.
Thanks, Mike
The point I am trying to show is that they can not simply just do things to enjoy doing things like normal people, instead they both have to compete.
Red flag.
There are good and bad aspects of this. The neutral aspect is possible burnout.
I won’t read much into your statement, because we’ve all been competitive … even at young ages. I’ve known some kids that were very (mentally) competitive, but after receiving the “short end of the puberty stick” had a hard time adjusting to “not being the best anymore”.
As a youngster, I didn’t really play sports for fun. Looking back, I wish I had. Something to consider.
I mean is it just a little event to entertain them after the parents compete?
I would imagine that depends on the participants. You get a few kids that match your kids’ descriptions, and I see a competitive race.
Someone else mentioned youngsters on Litespeeds, etc … doesn’t sdound like “just go have fun on your Huffy” to me.
we love to travel so this would be right up our alley.
I did this race last year and it was a blast. http://www.koolinatriathlon.com/race.htm
There are both adult and kids races. It was a great vacation for our family…
Triplethreat,
I understand what you are saying about kids that cant handle losing or being the best but that does not describe my kids. They have came in last in races as well as first and to be honest the only difference you could tell on the way home is a trophie on the seat next to them or not. The reasons my kids were good at motorcross was because they worked hard at it, practiced all the time and used their heads in races.
My kids just love to race, win or lose. I should have stated that better. truth is I would not allow my kids into sports if they were sore losers.
Mike
There was a thread a year or so ago with a lot of post blasting parents for “pushing” their kids into triathlons. One of my sons loves them-not the kid’s version but the adult sprints. He turned 10 last summer and did a team and then a full. This year (he turned 11 in July) he has one more scheduled that will give him 6 (Set-Up Inc. races). He really does not care how he does, he just likes doing them. He won his age group (7-8) at St. Anthony’s one year and started swimming year round that same year-since then he aggravates me to death wanting to race-I had to tell my buddies that some of our “social” races were off-but I love racing with him and our triathlon community has been fantastic to him-- bottom line is it depends on the kid-just like everything else.
That is great to hear about the kids. I have four daugther and 3 of them just completed one of the Kids of Steel events in TN. My 11yr old was 2nd, my 10 yr was 3rd and my 7 yr old was 2nd and it was her birthday. I think I was more nervous watching them then doing the races myself but it was so cool watching them do there best. Good luck with your and I hope we can continue to have more kids events. We are actually going to start one hear in Huntsville, Alabama next year. I am going to RD it so any suggestions from those that have done this before would be of great benefit. thanks…
Craig in Alabama
Yeah … I was careful to choose my words wisely and not assume too much. IMO, there’s not a whole lot one can do about some people’s competitiveness … I feel a good part of it is inborn.
As a youngster, too much of my “fun” depended on the final score … heavily influenced by a dad that interpreted his self worth by how well his son played (Hey, he can’t be perfect can he?). ← all too common in youth sports.
There is a lot that can be positive from being a competitor … a very hard work ethic, high expectations, and a constant striving to improve. I’m glad to see your kids have found things they enjoy working harder to get better at. It’s refreshing. I work with a lot of players that are similar … even the talented (and a few mega-talented) ones put in a good days work and never settle.
It appears that you and your kids have healthy sporting attitudes. Again, very refreshing.
My only concern is how real is the sport for the kids? I mean is it just a little event to entertain them after the parents compete?
Sometimes it’s competitive and sometimes it’s just fun. But they’re just starting out so who cares? If they like it and demonstrate some ability you can easily find a competitive event. The most competitive is probably IronKids where usually the top five in each age group are really racing hard and fast, and when they graduate from IronKids at 14 they typically go on to do well in the draft-legal and sprint tris as well… if they don’t burn out…
At that age make it fun for them and they’ll enjoy it, if they enjoy it they’ll do well. Make it too “real” or competitive and they’ll flame out by the time they’re 15 or 16.