The first annual Kermode Kids Triathlon is set to run this weekend, and children are invited out to swim, bike and run.
Race director Crystal Thomas invites all children ages 8 to 15 to come and participate in the event, which will be held this Sunday.
“It's a fun kid's thing,” she said. “The idea is to get more kids out doing stuff.”
Thomas said one of the appeals to triathlon is the incorporation of three basic skills that all children enjoy – swimming, running and biking. She also credits triathlon as an independent sport, with solid team camaraderie.
Registration will be from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Northwest Community College. From there, participants will make their way to the Terrace Aquatic Centre, where they will swim different lengths of 100 metres to 400 metres, according to age.
The bike and run portion of the event will start off back at the college with distances again differing for each age group.
Thomas, who is a triathlon coach, has been holding a parks and recreation program running and training program for children for the past eight weeks.
She would like to grow this program into a community club, getting more children involved in triathlon, and eventually getting to a point where the area can hold zone tryouts and send young athletes to the BC Summer Games.
“We do our kids a disservice if we don't have a qualifying event for them to try and go to the games,” Thomas said.
All athletes will need a swim suit, helmet and bicycle to participate in the event.
For more information contact Thomas at (250) 635-4632.
There is a cost associated with the event.