World Triathlon Corporation (WTC), owner of the Ironman, Ironman 70.3 and Iron Girl brands is rolling the new IronKids series to its portfolio of events. The newest member of the WTC stable will consist of a triathlon series for kids from 6 to 15 years old.
The 2009 IronKids National Triathlon Series will kick-off in San Diego, California. National sponsor partners such as Aqua Sphere, CLIF Bar, Foster Grant, Life Science Nutritionals and Timex will support the series in 2009.
IronKids National Triathlon Series
San Diego, California: 2 May 2009
St Petersburg, Florida: 7 June 2009
Raleigh, North Carolina: 5 July 2009
Carmel, Indiana: 19 July 2009
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: 9 August 2009
Avon, Colorado: 6 September 2009
Alpharetta, Georgia: 13 September 2009
Tucson, Arizona: 4 October 2009
The IronKids events will utilise the traditional swim-bike-run triathlon format, but distances will vary depending on the age of participants. Distances include:
Junior (ages 6 to 8): 50 yard swim, 2 mile bike and 500 yard run
Intermediate (ages 9 to 11): 150 yard swim, 4 mile bike and 1 mile run
Senior (ages 12 to 15): 300 yard swim, 8 mile bike and 2 mile run
In 2008 WTC unveiled the addition of IronKids to its growing roster of events. WTC acquired the IronKids brand from the Sara Lee Corporation, which had previously owned the event series since 1985. Across its history, IronKids’ races have seen more than 40,000 participants and have introduced us to some sporting greats, with past participants including seven time Tour de France champion, Lance Armstrong and US Olympians, Hunter Kemper and Laura Bennett.
Michelle Payette, who joined WTC in 2008, will use her experience in event management to oversee the IronKids branded event series. Based in Phuket, Thailand, for nine years, Payette served as Race Manager for Ironman Malaysia and for the Laguna Phuket Triathlon. More recently, Payette was managing events for Tourism Whistler (Canada) on behalf of the resort community.
Payette comments, “The IronKids mission is to inspire and motivate youth through sport to lead an active, positive and healthy lifestyle. We are excited to provide families with an event weekend experience that is educational, interactive and fun.”
To ensure IronKids leaves a footprint throughout the US, IronKids will develop a legacy programme that will focus on educating students on the importance of nutrition and physical activity, to encourage children to adopt the IronKids lifestyle.
