Have you heard about the Kids Triple Crown Challenge?

It’s a triathlon series for kids in East Tennessee and is sponsored by Crown Cleaners. The first event, the Salamander Splash & Dash, was held June 21 at Knoxville’s Westside YMCA and was a great success! Seeing those kids’ faces when they crossed the finish line was inspirational! The above photo was taken at this event.

The remaining series events are the Sharks & Seals Kids Tri on July 19 at Springbrook Pool in Alcoa and the Dragonfly Kids Tri on August 16 at the Knoxville Racquet Club. For both events, late registration and check-in will start at 7 a.m. Kids between seven and ten years old will begin racing at 8:30 a.m., while kids between the ages of 11 and 15 will begin racing at 9 a.m. Awards will begin at 10 a.m.

Registration is $70. Athletes do not have to attend every event in order to participate and will receive a 22-ounce water bottle and a t-shirt with the series logo. At each event, racers also will receive race shirts and finisher medals.

This is a great opportunity to fight summer boredom and to try something new. Your child doesn’t have to be an amazing athlete to participate in a triathlon. As a former triathlete, I know from experience. Kids don’t have to be strong at all three components – swimming, biking and running – in order to do well because each one is just part of the overall race. Give it a shot!

If you’d like more information about Kids Triple Crown Challenge or want to register, visit racedayevents.net/events.

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Triple Crown Challenge poster