On Saturday, beginning at 8 a.m., Albemarle will be sponsoring its first youth triathlon at the Tyrone Area High School.
The race is age-group specific and is open to children ages eight to 14.
The distances will be as follows: eight and under boys and girls will complete a 25-yard swim, a 1/2-mile bike and a 1/4-mile run. Nine and 10-year-old boys and girls will complete a 50-yard swim, a one-mile bike and a 1/2- mile run. Eleven and 12-year-old boys and girls will complete a 100-yard swim, a two-mile bike and a one-mile run. Thirteen and 14-year-old boys and girls will complete a 150-yard swim, a three mile bike and a 1.5-mile run.
The race will be held on a closed course, so there will be no traffic to worry about.
The cost for the event will be $15 per child and $5 per sibling if the registration is received before race day. Race day registration will be held from 7 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. on July 23 and will cost $20 per child and $5 per sibling.
“The kids don\’t have to be awesome athletes,” explained Tom Getz, human resources manager at Albemarle. “The great thing about the sport of triathlon is that finishing the race is the top priority. You do not have to win. Triathlons are great events for fun and fellowship.”
All participants of the triathlon will receive a T-shirt, water bottle and finisher’s medal along with a goodie bag. Awards will be given to the top three boys and girls in each age group.
All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Tyrone Area High School Swim Team and the American Cancer Society. The Tyrone High School Swim Team has partnered with Albemarle to help run the event on race day as volunteers.
Local sponsors include DelGrosso’s, Reliance Bank, DC Goodman and Fink Brothers Hardware. More sponsors are expected, and the Tyrone Area School District is also offering support.
Besides the triathlon, Albemarle sponsors the annual fish rodeo, local baseball and football teams, along with many activities and programs at the elementary schools.
For more details and to register for the event, contact Getz at 684-4310.
