For the fourth year, the Boys and Girls Club of Seymour Youth Triathlon will give area children ages 6 to 14 a chance to swim, bike and run.
You don’t have to be the best swimmer, cyclist or runner. You don’t even have to be a star athlete.
All that’s required are drive and determination to complete the race.
The event, set to start at 8:30 a.m. June 25 at Seymour High School, is divided by ages 6 to 10 (100-yard swim, 2-mile bike ride and half-mile run) and ages 11 to 14 (200-yard swim, 4-mile bike ride and 1-mile run). You don’t have to be a Boys and Girls Club member to participate.
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Cost is $35. Registration can be done before the event at the club at 950 N. O’Brien St., Seymour, or online at bgcyouthtriathlon.com or the day of the event at 7:30 a.m. A pre-race meeting will be at 8 a.m.
“A lot of kids who participated last year and have participated every year are switching over to the bigger group now, so it will be interesting to see how they all do,” event organizer Kendra Zumhingst said.
Madaline Schepman and Emerson Johnson, both of Seymour, have participated in the triathlon in the past.
Madaline said biking is the most fun for her, and she hopes to finish the swimming portion with a better time this year.
Emerson also likes biking the most, saying it’s fun to ride through part of the city.
Emerson said her goal is to go faster than she went last year.
Her advice for triathlon newcomers? “Don’t give up, and practice,” she said.
To help kids prepare for the triathlon, practice sessions will be conducted at 6 p.m. Tuesday and June 23 at the high school. They will swim in the school’s pool and then ride the bike course, which goes through surrounding neighborhoods. You should bring your swimsuit, bike and helmet.
The day of the race, participants will be allowed to use flotation devices or life jackets for the swim and training wheels for the bike ride, Zumhingst said. Helmets are required for the biking portion.
Keeping with tradition, when kids cross the finish line, they will receive a medal and congratulations from Seymour Mayor Craig Luedeman. Awards also will be presented to the top three finishers in the two age groups.
People are invited to cheer the kids on as they participate, either coming to the high school or standing out in their yards along the course.
“I think it’s one of those events that once you see it, you want to see it every time,” Zumhingst said. “A lot of people can sit out in their driveways and hoot and holler for the kids.”
Dozens of volunteers will be along the course, helping kids stay on the right path and keeping them safe. If you are interested in volunteering, call Zumhingst at 812-528-8093.
The triathlon had more than 60 finishers the first two years but dropped down to 44 last year. Zumhingst said she would like to have at least 60 this year.
“It’s really weather dependent,” she said. “Last year was really cold and overcast, so I’m hoping it’s going to be amazing and awesome summer weather.”
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What: Boys and Girls Club of Seymour Youth Triathlon
When: 8:30 a.m. June 25 (pre-race meeting at 8 a.m.)
Where: Starts and ends at Seymour High School
Who: Boys and girls ages 6 through 14
Cost: $35
Register: Boys and Girls Club of Seymour, 950 N. O’Brien St.; online at bgcyouthtriathlon.com; or day of the race at 7:30 a.m.
Help out: To volunteer at the event, call Kendra Zumhingst at 812-528-8093
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