Volunteers help insure South Park triathlon’s success
Habitat For Humanity volunteer Laura Stanger hands out a cup of water to a runner during the Kids Triathlon.
Mindy McLelland adjusts the shirt of her son, Leo, 3, before the Kids Triathlon. McClelland has worked as a volunteer for Habitat For Humanity for the past 15 years at the event.
In staging a triathlon, it takes plenty of volunteers to insure success. At the Habitat For Humanity Kids’ Triathlon, there are none more enthusiastic. It’s hard to tell who is having more fun, the participants or the helpers.
“We are so very lucky to have such a terrific group,” said Kristi Webb, who completed her 10th year as race director for the event, which was held July 15 at the South Park Wave Pool. “They are crucial to the success of the race. I have really come to appreciate their importance, not to mention their enthusiasm.”
Mindy McClelland and Laura Stanger represented the range of eager aides that arrived well before the race starter. McClelland is a wily veteran of 15 years while Stanger a novice. “This is the first time I volunteered here at South Park,” she said, adding she worked the event at North Park last year.
“I really enjoyed this,” she said while handing out drinks at the water station along the running course. “The enthusiasm of the kids, parents, friends, volunteers. It was welcoming, refreshing and encouraging.”
McClelland and her children, Emilia, 4, and Leo, 3, encouraged the bikers along the course. They had reported for duty at 6:30 a.m. And, they would not leave until well after clean-up time, around 2 p.m.
“Oh my goodness,” said McClelland, “we love this. I know my kids whish they could do this (compete) now. It’s a good day for everybody. Good competition, a great event for a good cause,” she added. “This is great to have for the kids.”
In more ways than one, explains Stanger.
Initiated as a way to introduce children to a healthy lifestyle and the benefits of exercise, the Kids Triathlon is also a fundraiser for Habitat For Humanity. The organization will host another such event in its triathlon series on Aug. 5 in North Park.
“This is a great event with a great group,” said Stanger. “The event teaches kids about good health and the benefits of exercise, but it’s also about helping others. It’s a win-win. It teaches them about competition and about helping others.”
Through the years, the Kids Triathlon Series has raised more than $880,000 to provide local, low-income families with decent, affordable homeownership.
Unlike the South Park Triathlon, the North Park event accommodates a wider age group. Ages 7-15 can participate whereas the oldest a child can be to participate at South Park is 12. The North Park event runs from 8 a.m. to noon.
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 will be held at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 4 at the North Park Pool.