Feature
June
23
Triathlon inspires outdoors play
by Terry Trahan, Jr.
Kids seeking outdoors fun will get their chance to swim, bike and dash to the finish line at a triathlon designed just for them.
The Mighty Kids Triathlon will host 150 kids in five age categories at the Bayou Black Recreational Park on June 26. Race organizers are expecting registered participants from local communities and as far away as Pass Christian, Miss. Categories include tikes, ages 3-4; squirts, ages 5-6; sprouts, ages 7-8; juniors, ages 9-11; and seniors, ages 12-14.
“If you’re not active as a kid, it carries into adulthood,” said Natalie Lindsay, the race’s director.
Concerned about rising obesity rates in children, Lindsay brainstormed ways to get children off the couch.
“I don’t think most of them know how they got that way,” she said. “The problem is they’re not active. They’re inside playing video games.”
During a planning meeting for the Green Team, a local cycling group, Lindsay discussed the possibility of hosting a triathlon with Brent Ragas, a fellow Green Team member. They had watched children participate in other triathlons and enjoyed the experience, so they hoped to bring a similar opportunity to other kids in the community.
Want to join in?
Cheer on the kids at the Bayou Black
Recreational Park, 3688 Southdown Mandalay
Road, Houma, La., on June 26. The races begin
at 7:30 a.m., but arrive early before the
roads close at 7:15 a.m. Visit the event’s
website, www.mightykidstriathlon.org, for
more information.
Eventually, Lindsay’s husband, Chris, got involved, along with Don Lasseigne, who helped to design a website and T-shirts for the event. A local triathlon group, Terre Tri, contributed to the effort as well.
Lindsay and Ragas began planning in December and received positive feedback from parents interested in registering their children for the event. When the first 100 spots filled, more spots were added and filled until Lindsay capped the total number of participants at 150 to ensure the kids’ safety during the race.
The USA Triathlon-sanctioned race will feature swim, bike and run competitions that allow entire families to join in training with the participants. While the event is designed to provide kids with a fun activity, those who wish to compete must consider proper training.
“To perform well in the sport, you have to feed your body right,” Lindsay said. “When your kid is training, you’re doing it with the child. It’s a family activity.”
Lindsay remembers cheering her children, Caroline and Ava, and other kids on as they participated in previous races. The smiles she saw on their faces when they pushed themselves to achieve their goal inspired her to organize the race.
“Every child should feel that satisfaction,” she said.
Satisfaction also comes in knowing activity promotes a healthier lifestyle, body and heart that builds strength and helps to reduce the risk of developing a disease like diabetes.
When racers arrive at the park, they may also realize they haven’t been treating their feet properly. Academy Sports and Outdoors will be on site to show parents and racers how to get their feet fitted properly for shoes. It’s just one more step toward keeping the kids safe as they enjoy their time away from the couch and with their families.
“The parents will be cheering all the kids on,” Lindsay said.
Every kid who crosses the finish line receives a medal for turning off the morning cartoons and spending a few hours outside.
Ready. Set. Go!
