16 Aug 2017 Conway Kids’ Triathlon celebrates 20th anniversary
More than 200 young people recently participated in the 20th Annual First Security Conway Kids’ Triathlon held at Hendrix College.
“It was such an incredible day!” said race director Heather Kendrick. “We had 214 total registered participants, with 192 in the regular divisions and 22 competing in the Community Connections adaptive division.”
The Conway event is one of the country’s premier youth triathlons but it is open for all kids of all abilities, not just those who have previously participated in triathlons.
Triathlons involve three sports – swimming, biking and running. Ages 6-10 complete a 50-yard swim, two-mile bike and ½ mile run. Ages 11-15 complete a 100-yard swim, four-mile bike and 1 mile run.
“The race went very smoothly. The weather was perfect,” Heather said. “Our board works very well together – each person in charge of an area of the race – whether it’s the swim, bike or run course, transition area, finish line, post event area, registration, etc., and they oversee every detail of that. We are blessed with dedicated and amazing leaders on our board who love kids and love serving in this way.”
Overall awards were given to the first boy and girl ages 6-10 and 11-15. First through fifth place awards are also given in each individual age group. Every competitor also received a custom medal and race T-shirt.
“We had close to 100 volunteers for this event, not including the 60-plus volunteers that Community Connections brought to assist their athletes. This event takes enormous volunteer support. Conway High School’s Basketball team came Friday night and helped set up all the barricades and the transition area. There were many others as well. A big thank you to all the groups that came and helped.”
This year, the event included a Special Needs Division for the first time, in partnership with Community Connections.
“Our partnership with Community Connections was something that we were super excited about going into our 20th anniversary year. We thought that would be such a special way to take the event to a new level,” Heather said. “I think I can speak for the entire board when I say that we had no idea how meaningful and powerful the experience would be and how watching those special needs athletes compete in the triathlon would move us and impact our hearts and minds.
“The reason we do this work and this event is to see kids’ faces and celebrate their victory moments with them as they cross that finish line. We want to empower them with strength and self confidence that will go with them for the rest of their lives. Working with Community Connections in this way just takes this mission one step further. We absolutely consider it a success and want this partnership to continue.”
The Conway Kids’ Triathlon benefits Soul Food Café Mission.
“We plan to give around $12,000 to Soul Food Cafe, which became our annual goal last year. We are so thankful to First Security and all our sponsors who not only support our event, which helps build up strong healthy kids, but also support the work of Soul Food, who rebuild the lives of hurting families here in our community.”
The date for the 2018 Conway Kids Triathlon has tentatively been set for Saturday Aug. 11.
“I just feel humbled that the Conway Kids Tri has had 20 years of triathlon fun here in Conway. That’s a lot of finish line victories, proud parents, post-race sno-cones, and hopefully a foundation of healthy, happy kids for a lifetime.”
Visit conwaykidstri.com for more information.
