USA Triathlon has announced a partnership with Girls on the Run International, a non-profit organization that ‘inspires girls in grades 3-8 to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum that creatively integrates running’. As part of the partnership, Girls on the Run will be a partner of the USA Triathlon Splash & Dash Youth Aquathlon series.
Boy Scouts of America and the USA Swimming Foundation are also partners of the USA Triathlon Splash & Dash Youth Aquathlon Series.
The annual Splash & Dash series, launched in 2012, is comprised of more than 60 swim-run events that take place across the United States from March to October. Open to participants ages 7-15, the series — as with Girls on the Run 5K events — focuses on participation rather than competition. Many of the events are not timed.
At all Splash & Dash events, participants aged 7-10 complete a 100m pool swim and a 1k run, while athletes aged 11-15 complete a 200m pool swim and a 2k run. USAT adds that the 2017 Splash & Dash Series saw record participation, with 2,250 youth athletes taking part.
As an official series partner for the 2018-19 season, Girls on the Run will collaborate with USA Triathlon to increase US youth participation in non-competitive sports by encouraging the development of healthy activities and behaviours. Girls on the Run councils based across the country will promote series stops coming to their areas and inspire local youth to partake in the events.
Three to five councils will also have the opportunity to directly host new Splash & Dash events in 2019. Finally, all Splash & Dash participants throughout the season will receive a Girls on the Run giveaway item.
“For years, the USA Triathlon Splash & Dash Youth Aquathlon Series has proven to be one of the most accessible ways to introduce youth to the fun of multisport,” said Meg Duncan, Youth Program Manager at USA Triathlon. “We are proud to bring Girls on the Run into our family of series partners to grow participation in 2018 and beyond. We look forward to working with this impactful organization to help young girls across the country gain confidence and realize their potential.”
“At Girls on the Run, we teach program participants that their dreams are attainable, and their potential is limitless,” said Theresa Miller, Chief Engagement Officer for Girls on the Run. “Through our partnership with USA Triathlon, we look forward to making an impact on the communities we reach while inspiring health, confidence and increased participation in non-competitive sports activities.”
