Kiwanis is a global organization whose focus is on helping and serving youth throughout the world.
When the Brainerd Kiwanis Club was trying to come up with an idea that could promote these ideals in the community the idea of a youth triathlon was brought to light.
So the first Kiwanis Club Kids Triathlon was born and is set to take place at Whipple Beach in Baxter at 4 p.m. Aug. 23.
Chris Robinson, a member of the Brainerd Kiwanis Club, said fitness and fun was the motivation behind forming this event.
"Kiwanis is an organization that is focused on youth and service and we saw this as an opportunity to promote youth fitness and fun," Robinson said. "With the news recently about the challenges faced in the area of youth fitness and youth health and weight concerns we saw this as an opportunity to help with that."
"As an annual event we want kids to do some of training throughout the summer with an eye toward doing this at the end of every summer. It also ties in nicely with the adult marathon that will take place the following day, the Lakes Country Triathlon (in Baxter). Hopefully, it gives the kids who come here with their parents something to look forward to and get ready for as well."
The triathlon, which consists of swimming, biking and running, is open to boys and girls ages 5-14.
In the 5-9 age group the course will be a 25-yard swim, a two-mile bike ride and a one-mile run.
Participants in the 10-14 age group will take part in a 50-yard swim, a four-mile bike ride and two-mile run.
While the focus of the event is more about fitness, participation and finishing, there will be medals awarded to the top male and female finishers in each age division.
Currently, more than 75 youths have signed up for the event, which has a limit of 350 athletes. Registration fee before Aug. 1 is $18 per participant. On or after Aug. 1 it's $25.
Registration forms may be downloaded at www.brainerdkiwanisclub.org. In addition, registration brochures are available at area business locations. Online registration is available at www.midwestevents.us on the "Tri & Du" page.
Additional information, including a course map, may be found on the Brainerd Kiwanis Club Web site.
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