The Squamish Youth Triathlon is back!
After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the kids' event returns on Sunday, May 15 at Brennan Park.
Youth race in the Triathlon BC-regulated event according to age.
Participants swim in Brennan Park pool, bike and run various lengths depending on their age group.
Race director Tara-Leigh Cain says everything was ready to go for the 2020 race when the world shut down due to COVID-19.
"We are now trying to figure out how to change our bibs that say 2020 Squamish Youth Triathlon. We're going to reuse them, but we need to just take that 0 and put a 2 for this year's race," she said.
For the sake of children's mental and physical health, Cain is glad restrictions have loosened enough for the triathlon to go ahead.
"I think it gets them out and exercising, first of all. And it gets them to explore a variety of different sports, right? You get to swim, and you get to bike and you get to run. So it's a little bit of everything, which is great for the kids who might suck at swimming but are strong at the bike, so it kind of evens everything out," she said, adding that the relay race is also popular, where three youth can each do one of the sports to complete the event.
The point of the youth tri, above all, is to have fun, Cain said.
"It's not a super competitive race by any means. It's just to get out, have fun. We have music, lots of volunteers cheering, there's food, there are awards and draw prizes."
The Squamish Youth Triathlon is also running its fifth annual TinyTri event for kids five years old and under.
Parents have to accompany these tiny tots.
"It's a great intro to sports and the world of triathlons," said Cain.
Registration closes on April 30.
Volunteers are also still needed. Anyone interested can sign up via the event’s web page.
Find out more details at squamishyouthtri.ca.
Cain said that youth who enjoy this Squamish event can look to Whistler in June for another triathlon experience.
For the first time, the XTERRA Whistler Triathlon is holding a Youth Off-Road Triathalon alongside the adult race on June 12.
The race will be in a lake instead of a pool and the cycle and run are on trails. Check that race out at: whistlertriathlon.com/xterra-kids/
