29 Jul 2020 Conway triathlon cancelled; help sought for non-profit

Posted at 10:43 AMh in Sports by
Organizers and participants faced inclement weather last year on the day of the Conway Kids Triathlon, which forced cancellation in the middle of the event. This year, organizers have announced the entire triathlon will be cancelled due to the pandemic. (Sonja Keith photo)

Even though this year’s Conway Kids Triathlon will not take place, organizers are working to continue to provide financial support to the Soul Food Café Mission.

“The Conway Kids Triathlon board made the difficult decision to cancel our event,” said Conway Kids Triathlon Race Director Pete Tanguay, citing the COVID-19 pandemic.

This would have been the 23rd year for the event, which is typically held in August and presented by First Security Bank. While weather has been a factor on the day of the event, this is the first time the triathlon has been completely cancelled. “Last year, it was cancelled mid-event due to weather and this also happened one other time,” said Pete.

The triathlon provides an opportunity for kids and families to work together to train for and compete in an event that requires a child to do three things: swim, bike and run.  

“This is the primary goal of our event,” said Pete. “The secondary goal is to raise money for Soul Food Café Mission, our beneficiary. For the last three years, we have been able to give them $12,000 from the event.” 

The Soul Food Cafe Mission is a faith-based ministry run on biblical principles of reaching out to the hurting with love, compassion and hope. Soul Food provides food boxes, health and beauty items, clothing, haircuts and hot meals from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Tuesday at 1717 S. Donaghey Ave. in Conway. (For more information, visit soulfoodcafemission.org or email
[email protected].)

“The Kids Tri board realizes COVID-19 has increased the demand for services from non-profits like Soul Food Café Mission. Many of our race sponsors have financially committed to help us meet this secondary goal of our event even though we had to cancel the race,” said Pete. “We will be presenting a check on Aug. 8, the date the race was to be held, to the Soul Food organization to support the important work they are doing in our community.” 

For more information, go to ConwayKidsTri.com or contact Pete at 501.908.3876 or [email protected].