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Kids Triathlon returns July 16 at South Park Wave Pool

By Eleanor Bailey almanac Sports Editor ebailey@thealmanac.Net 3 min read
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Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac

Kristi Webb loads ice into a cart for use during a previous Kids Triathlon. Webb returns as race director when Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh hosts its annual event on July 17 at the South Park Wave Pool.

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Eleanor Bailey

South Park Wave Pool lifeguard Emily Bond gives a young swimmer an assist during the aquatics leg of the 2019 Kids Triathlon. The event returns to South Park for its 20th year on July 16.

After a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic, the Habitat Pittsburgh’s Kids Triathlon returns for its 20th anniversary event July 16 at the South Park Wave Pool.

Ages 7 to 12 are eligible to compete in the race, that includes swimming, biking and running.

“We are so very excited to have this event return and to get the kids back in the groove,” said race director Kristi Webb. “This has been and still is the biggest kids race in the city.”

The triathlon is actually a part of a series of two races. The second will be held July 23 at North Park and will expand the age eligibility to 15.

Athletes will receive a t-shirt to tie-dye, as well as a medal upon finishing.

Trophies will be awarded to the top three boy and girl finishers in each age bracket.

A pre-race informational meeting is held the evening before each event at 6:30 p.m. to get the kids familiar with the course and let parents ask any questions.

On race day, athletes should arrive at 7am for check-in. Bike inspections are available at this time, too.

Race-day registration is available for $45.

A race-kickoff will begin at 7:45 and the first heat will begin at 8 a.m.

At South Park, ages 7-9 will swim 50 meters or one width of the wave pool, bike one mile and run .5 mile while ages 10-12 cover twice the distance (100-meter swim, 2-mile bike and 1-mile run).

At North Park, contestants in age groups 7-9 and 10-12 perform the same tasks as at South Park but ages 13-15 will complete a 400-meter swim, 7-mile bike and 2-mile run.

Helmets and bikes are required for all athletes.

Two things, says Webb, has made the Kids Triathlon a success for so many summers.

“The volunteers that came back and help year after year and the parents who take the extra time to prepare their children,” she said. “It’s hard to do because it’s three sports. There is a lot of support needed to make this event succeed.”

The Kids Triathlon is pulling out all the stops for its significant anniversary celebration.

Iceburgh, the official mascot of the Pittsburgh Penguins, will make an appearance.

“He will be our dignitary,” Webb said with a laugh. “The kids will love him.”

Additionally, there will be a postrace pizza party and a Lego building area where athletes can play with the plastic bricks. “So as to envision what it is like to build one of our houses,” said Webb, who is also a Habitat employee.

Participants will also have cowbells to ring during the race and there will be a photo booth at the finish line for contestants to take pictures with their medals and friends.

Although the event has never experienced a weather cancellation in its history, there is no rain date and all registration fees will be considered a donation to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh.

In 20 years, the Kids Triathlon Series has raised more than one million dollars to help Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh provide decent, affordable homeownership and home repairs to local, limited-income families. This year, the organization plans to build in Larimer and Homewood and work in Penn Hills and McKeesport as well.

Athletes can fundraise by setting up their own pages through Habitat. The top fundraisers will be awarded prizes.

Visit https://www.kidstriathlon.org/ to register for either triathlon.

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