On your mark, get set, GO!
IronKids is heading back to Alpharetta. Are you and your kids ready? Here are some great tips to make sure your IronKids weekend goes off without a hitch.
Training
The most important factor for having a positive and fun race day is training. Following a triathlon training schedule for youth can help prepare your kids to feel strong and confident on the day of the event. There are various youth triathlon training schedules online that can be a great resource.
Try training on the Chattahoochee Riverwalk or at one of Columbus’ parks and recreational facilities.
How about a family bike outing on the Rails to Trails, or swim laps at the Columbus Aquatic Center or running around with friends at Idle Hour Park in Phenix City.
Be sure to add in rest days, too!
Fueling
We all learned in health class about the benefits of eating from the food pyramid, but it is even more important when training and competing in a youth triathlon. Encourage your kids to look at their body as if it was a vehicle that needs to be fueled. Good fuel means peak performance and the wrong foods can negatively affect performance.
Now that you have trained, and you are ready to race, here is a suggested IronKids packing list:
Packing List:
• Bathing Suit
• Swim Cap
• Bike
• Running Shoes
• Goggles
• Sunblock
• Running Clothes
• Towel
• Snacks
• Water/Sports Drink
Race Day
It’s the big day, they are ready, and the posters are made to cheer them on. The adrenaline will be pumping and it’s time for all that training to pay off. You will line the street waiting for your child to run by heading towards the finish line (we’re not crying, you’re crying!). Imagine the look on their face when they get their finishers medal…priceless. You can’t wait to hear all the stories of the race course, but they did it and you couldn’t be prouder.
If you haven’t registered yet, what are you waiting for? Registration is now open for entrants.
What to know if you go
2018 IronKids Event Information
Dates: September 15-16, 2018
Location: Wills Park Pool
IronKids Alpharetta, one of the largest IronKids triathlons in the country, is returning to Alpharetta with home base being the newly renovated Wills Park pool. Saturday events include an expo and bike drop-off from 12 – 5 p.m. Sunday’s race day kicks off at 7:30 a.m. and runs until 11 a.m. The race will include three divisions: Junior- ages 6 to 8, Intermediate- ages 9 to 11 and Senior-ages 12 to 15.
All participants will receive an Alpharetta IronKids shirt, finisher medal, chip timing and complimentary food and refreshments.
Competition Categories & Start Times:
Seniors (Ages 12 – 15) | Start 8:45 a.m.
Swim – 300 Yards | Bike – 8 Miles | Run – 2 Miles
Intermediates (Ages 9 – 11) | Start 10:00 a.m.
Swim – 150 Yards | Bike – 4 Miles | Run – 1 Mile
Juniors (Ages 6 – 8) | Start 7:15 a.m.
Swim – 50 Yards | Bike – 2 Miles | Run – 500 Yards
For more information, click here.
All photos courtesy of the Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau. Used with permission.
