Kids bike, run, slide in second Try-Athlon
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A group of 6-year-olds takes off on bikes to begin their portion of the Try-Athlon on Saturday, June 13, at McFee Park. - Jake Nichols
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Bo Dunehew, 10, slides down an inflatable water slide near the finish line at the Farragut Parks and Recreation Department’s second annual Try-Athlon on Saturday, June 13, at McFee Park. - Jake Nichols
On Saturday. June 13, children and parents gathered at McFee Park in Farragut for the second annual Kids’ Try-Athlon, put on by the Town of Farragut’s Parks and Recreation Department.
The event was non-competitive with every child taking home a t-shirt and medal. During the event, local kids experienced a few aspects of a triathlon: running, biking and a water feature — in this case, a water slide — to clamber over and slide down to reach the finish line.
Before that, each child biked a certain distance — a half-mile for children ages 4 through 6 and a full mile for children ages 7 through 10.
Then the first age group (4-6) ran or walked one quarter-mile, and the 7- to 10-year-olds ran or walked a half-mile.
“We really enjoyed it last year, and it seemed like a great way to get kids to try the sport,” said Rachel Malone, Farragut Parks and Rec’s recreation and event manager. “Even though it’s not a true triathlon, it gives kids the chance to try the different disciplines. And everyone had a great time last year, so we knew we had to bring it back.”
The 4-6-year-olds were accompanied by parents and guardians on the course, which stretched around the lawn at McFee Park.
“We really wanted to make sure it was an introductory type of thing because that’s what we do best at Parks and Rec,” Malone said. “But with the way the course is laid out, we didn’t have a true swimming component either and knew we couldn’t make it truly competitive. So we wanted to offer a way for kids to try it with no pressure.”
Most importantly, she noted the day offered a chance for children to get outside with their families and enjoy quality time with some summertime fun and exercise.
“It’s huge,” Malone said. “We see all the time kids who would rather be inside looking at screens, so any fun opportunity we can give them to get outside — especially with friends and family — that’s what we like to do.”
