Where: Camp Buckner
Date: Saturday, August 23rd
Time: 10:00 AM
Age Groups: 7-9 and 10-13 years old
7-9 Year Olds: 100 meter swim, 5km bike, 1km run
10-13 Year Olds: 200 meter swim, 5km bike and 2km run
Prizes: Medal and t-shirts for all finishers
Cost: Before 31 May 2008: $20.00, after 31 May 2008 $35
Registration: ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY at Active.com. (Registration for the 4th Annual West Point Kids Triathlon is closed! There is no wait list. Please join us next year. You can register online for the 5th Annual West Point Kids Triathlon on or about 1 Feb 2009)
Sign up online for the kids triathlon on Active.com. There will be no onsite registration. This is absolutely necessary due to the popularity of the event. Please do not show up on race day and hope for an exception. Your child will be greatly disappointed.
The same transition area will be used for both the West Point Triathlon as well as the Kids Triathlon. This is the main parking lot area at Camp Buckner. Bike racks will be set up for use by the participants as well as an open area to be used by kids who prefer to use the kick stand on their bike.
Details TBD.
The out-and-back course will be heavily monitored with volunteers and race organizers for safety. Ages 7-9 will swim 100 meters and the 10-13 year old triathletes will swim 200 meters.
There will be four waves for the swim start, one for every 2 year age group. The oldest age group (12 and 13 year olds) will go first. When they have exited the swim, the 10 and 11 year old age group will begin. When they have cleared the swim course, the 8 and 9 year old age group will begin. Finally, the youngest group of 7-9 year olds will begin the swim. For the youngest two age groups, we will allow floatation devices and parents will be allowed to accompany their triathlete during the swim portion. Please no fins or paddles.
The bike course will be contained on the back roads in and around Camp Buckner and Camp Natural Bridge. Both age groups (7-9 and 10-13 year olds) will ride about 5 kilometers about 3.1 miles). Helmets must be worn by all participants, and please check to ensure they are adjusted to fit well. Here's a helpful web page with complete instructions on how to fit a bike helmet. However, these young triathletes will not go up the steep hill off the hard right turn that occurs at about the mile and a half point. Instead we will lengthen the northern section by the last turn around. The young triathletes will have to dismount before entering the transition area after the bike leg of the race.
The run courses will also be contained on the roads in and around Camp Buckner and Camp Natural Bridge. The finish for the kids triathlon is the same as the finish for the West Point Triathlon, in the parking area near Barth Hall.
Our goal is to expose these youngsters to the great sport of triathlon in a safe setting. Parents are encouraged to accompany the weak swimmers in the 7-9 year old age group, and will be allowed in the water alongside the course for the older age groups as well. There are several corners and a few gentle slopes on the bike course. We highly encourage parents to ride the course with their child prior to the event. Please ensure that the bikes are in good, safe working condition. Tires must be inflated to the recommended pressure on the sidewall and brakes must be in excellent working condition. Please visit your local bike shop if you have any questions regarding the condition of your child's bike.
Of great importance to the race organizers is the opportunity to show our young triathletes how to compete while still maintaining good sportsmanship. Please help us present the very best example of this by encouraging all the participants and ensure that everyone present has a great experience. Here's a very nice, short article about sportsmanship on KidsHealth.org.
In the event of inclement weather due to lightning, heavy rain or high winds the race officials reserve the right to adjust the course as necessary or to cancel it altogether. We will do our best to advertise this with as much advance notice as possible. In the event of light rain we should still be able to conduct the event using the full course described above.
We will gladly accept your help if you are willing to volunteer. The biggest challenge will be "traffic control" for the pedestrians coming to pick up their packet for the West Point Triathlon, and at the turns along the bike and run course to keep the young triathletes on the correct course. If you want to volunteer, just let us know when you register your young triathlete on Saturday.