The annual PureKids Triathlon took place Sunday, June 29 at the NatureFresh Farms Recreation Centre in Leamington with 113 active youngsters braving the heat to get through their courses.
The event began some 37 years ago as the Kids of Steel event, organized by Richard and Pauline Kniaziew and a small group of volunteers.
Today the triathlon is sponsored by Pure Flavor Farms as the platinum sponsor and the volunteer group numbers in the dozens of local running, biking and swimming enthusiasts.
The five-and-under group swam a 12 metre course inside the complex and then came outside for a 100 metre bike ride and finished it up with a 20 metre dash to the finish line. There were 19 competitors at that age group.
The other groups had their distances increased incrementally according to age.
Emcee Dave Orshinsky led the charges through their course with lots of encourgagement and shout-outs from the announcer’s tent and W.R.A.C.E. was on-hand to attend to the timing and results.
All enjoyed medals and treats after the race, including sandwiches from Subway, one of the sponsors of the event.
Sarah Huynh was the first athlete out of the pool in the under-5 age group and she was geared up for her bike ride, with dad Tuan following closely behind.
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Two of the 8-9 group walking their bikes to the start of the bicycle portion of the course.
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Competitors in the 8-9-year age group did two laps of the Natur Fresh complex pool as their swimming element before taking to their bicycles.
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