South Park hosts Habitat For Humanity Kids Triathlon
Kristi Webb
Kristi Webb (right) with Dana Barone (left). Webb replaced Barone as race director for the Habitat For Humanity's Kids Triathlon, 10 years ago. This year's event is set for July 15 at the South Park Wave Pool
During the 17 years Habitat For Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh has hosted the Kids Triathlon in South Park, seldom has the ambulance been used to transport anybody to the hospital. EMS, however, could welcome a future participant. See, Kristi Webb is 39 weeks pregnant.
“That’s the one thing different,” said Webb, who is in her 10th year as race director.
“The good thing is that EMS will be on site just in case my little girl decided to arrive.” Noting her husband, mother, grandmother and brothers will also be on site, Webb added, “if anything happens at least the whole family will be there.”
So will nearly 200 athletes, their parents and friends as well as the many volunteers who will assist the contestants during the race, which is set for July 15 at the South Park Wave Pool.
“In all the years I have done this,” Webb began, “I have really come to appreciate the importance of good volunteers and how crucial they are to the race. We are very lucky to have a terrific group. They are friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, corporate groups and partner organizations.”
This year, Webb noted, the premier sponsors are Johnson & Johnson, Federal Home Loan Bank and W.G. Tomko. Also, Coca-Cola is the refreshment sponsor.
Again, athletes will be divided into two divisions. Ages 7-9 swim one width (50 meters) across the wave pool, bike one mile and run one-half mile. Ages 10-12 double the distances, swimming 50 meters, cycling two miles and running one mile.
Timed heats begin at 8 a.m.
Race-day registration fee is $45.
Awards and trophies will be given to the top three male and female finishers in each age bracket. Each athlete that finishes the race receives a medal.
“That’s my favorite thing about the event. The sense of accomplishment that athletes feel,” Webb said. “This is a big confidence-builder for kids, which is so important these days.”
Important, too, is the aspect of fundraising. While the event has become so much more than that, the Kids Triathlon has helped raise $880,000 to build and repair homes for people in need. Often the athletes raise money through pledges, fundraising pages and team participation. The top two fundraisers receive an additional prize.
“The event gives kids a fun, energy-burning activity in the summertime and all abilities are encouraged to participate but it also helps those in need.”
Habitat For Humanity will also host a Kids Triathlon on Aug. 5 in North Park. Action begins at the swimming pool and older athletes up to age 15 can participate.
Ages 7-9 swim 50 meters, bike 1.5 miles and run one-half mile. Ages 10-12 swim 100 meters, bike 2.4 mikes and run one mile. Ages 13-15 swim 400 meters, bike seven miles and run two miles.
A pre-race meeting is held at 6:30 p.m. July 15 at South Park and Aug. 4 at North Park. Athletes should attend as rules and review of the racecourse are covered during the meeting.
Visit pittsburghhabitat.org for more details or to register.