CHARLESTON, SC NEWS - LIVE 5 WCSC Breaking News, Weather, SportsYMCA to host first triathlon for kids
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SUMMERVILLE, SC (WCSC) - A first of its kind competition for kids will take place in Summerville. The YMCA at the Ponds subdivision is hosting a youth triathlon.
The Y Youth Triathlon training starts with some stretching. Nine-year old Bethany Bunce and 12-year old Taylor Strickland have been getting into a cardio routine. With practice they'll be ready to put their best foot forward.
"I'm swimming at home. I'll probably run a mile at my house, and bike along the path," Strickland said.
At the triathlon, they'll be swimming, biking, and running against other seven to 14 year-olds, but a much shorter distance than the real thing.
"I feel really excited because this will be my first triathlon. I've never really done one in my life, but I've heard of them and I watch them on TV," Bunce said.
Active children can help combat cardio vascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity, and with childhood obesity rates at 17%, the YMCA says it's more important than ever to get children exercising now.
"It gives the kids something to word toward, to make them want to compete, to discipline themselves to want to stay in shape," YMCA spokesman Robbie Smith said. "When we instill that into kids they grow up knowing that lifestyle, they want to stay in shape."
The young competitors say win or lose the triathlon is a fun way to stay healthy and feel a sense of accomplishment.
"Just finishing, even though not coming in the best place, but as long as just finishing feels good," Bunce said.
Youth triathlon competitors are taking great strides and strokes, toward a healthy future.
The YMCA at The Ponds came up with the idea with a resident who used to compete in triathlons. The Y hopes to make it an annual event.
The triathlon will be on August 15th. Racers will swim up to 200 meters, bike five miles, and run one mile. The distances are cut in half for seven to ten year olds.
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