Cambridge, MA (July 17, 2013) -- Building on the success of its debut last summer, the New England Kids Triathlon will once again be the largest kids triathlon ever held in the Northeast and one of the 10 biggest kids triathlons taking place in the United States this year. On July 20 and 21, 2013, 900 kids (ages 5 to 15) and more than 3,000 spectators will gather at M.I.T. to compete and celebrate health and fitness. "Kids across New England have been working hard to get ready to become triathletes, and we are proud to have played a role in helping them," commented Linda Montoya, Sport and Recreation Director for the South Shore YMCA. "Everyone at the Y is honored to partner with the Patriots to show kids being healthy and active can be fun."
Josh Kraft, President of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation, added, "This is a great program that supports the goals of our NFL PLAY 60 program, and it encourages families to make positive decisions that will last a lifetime. This triathlon is a fun, exciting and healthy experience for everyone involved. We are looking forward to another great year of encouraging the next generation of Patriots fans to lead active lifestyles."
According to Tom Gildersleeve, Event Director, the support of community leaders is equally important to the involvement of the kids. Some of the event highlights include:
- The participation of a team of 11 kids from the Boys & Girls Club of Lynn, all of whom will be completing their first triathlon. They have been preparing as part of their summer camp activities, and their participation is made possible through a special outreach program supported by the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation. Four of the kids will receive new bikes as a result of their involvement.
- Two five year-olds who will be completing their first triathlon on Sunday. Kyle McCormick of Sudbury, MA is the youngest athlete in the field (and will wear bib #1), and he will be joined by fellow 5 year-old, Tea Barrus of Cranston, RI. Overall, kids from 11 states and two countries will make up the field of 900, and all finishers will receive a custom medal and free ice cream.
- Participation of the 2012 Sports Illustrated SportsKids of the Year, Cayden and Connor Long, of White House, TN. These amazing brothers started their careers as triathletes at the 2011 Nashville Kids Triathlon, and they have been inspiring a generation of siblings with disabilities ever since. Cayden (age 7) has cerebral palsy and races as a team with his brother, Connor (age 10).
About the New England Kids Triathlon: Organized through Kids Triathlon, Inc. (a 501c(3) organization based in Jacksonville, FL), the New England Kids Triathlon is the primary fundraising event for a year-around outreach program to introduce kids to the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle. All activities are coordinated by an organizing committee and the event is 100% staffed by volunteers. During 2013, more than $16,000 and 800 hours of help will be donated to "healthy kid" initiatives across New England.
Schedule of Events for July 20 & 21, 2013: Race weekend is spread over parts of two days. The festivities kick-off Saturday afternoon at 4:00p.m. with packet pick-up and the event expo. Saturday is highlighted by a pep rally (starting at 5:30p.m.) featuring welcomes from local officials, introductions of the 2013 Celebrity Big Kids and a speech by Almon Gunter, a world-class track star and motivational speaker. Sunday morning is race day with transition opening at 6:30a.m. and the races starting at 8:00a.m. The event concludes with the awards ceremony at 11:00a.m. Sunday.
What is a Kids Triathlon? Triathlon is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, and kids triathlons are a vital part of this trend. Race distances are set by USATriathlon (the governing body of the sport under the United States Olympic Committee) to be challenging, yet achievable, and every race consists of four components – swimming, biking, running and transitions. There are two divisions in kids races with the juniors (10 years old & under) completing a 100-yard swim; three-mile bike and half-mile run. The seniors (ages 11 – 15) complete double the distances (200 yard swim; six mile bike; and one mile run).
About the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation: The purpose of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation is to support programs that aid the youth and families of the New England region by assisting programs that foster cultural diversity, education, family and health and fitness. To learn more, visit www.patriots.com/community.
