That time of year again – the annual IronKids triathlon out at Clearwater Beach! It was another scorcher of a day, of course, not ideal for all the kids’ races that start in the middle of the afternoon, but what can you do… it’s tradition!
This year Josh was on the cusp between the ‘tiny tots’ (ages 3-6) and the age 7-10 group, but of course he wasn’t going to race with the babies! Ryley participated in the tiny tots race, which was a 10m ‘swim’ (start in few feet of water and run onto the beach), a 250m bike, and a 50m run… (you can see a few photos of her at the bottom of the post). Josh’s race, however, was a 100m swim (actually swimming), a 4km bike, and a 800m run. It was a nice little challenge for him, that’s for sure.
They started the kids one by one – they each came roaring down the beach for a spectacular water entry, Josh was pretty gung-ho at the beginning, with a strong dive into the water!
The swim was a long one, he got pretty tuckered out over that 100m, but he kept going!
It was pretty fun to see him do the event, just like his Mom – coming out of the water, stripping off the goggles and swim cap while striding up the beach, then zipping over to his bike for the next leg, a determined look upon his face…
…then most of the determination leaves him once on the bike, just pedaling like he’s out for a ride on a Sunday afternoon.
A surge of energy after returning the bike to transition, he bolts out of there like he’s on a mission!
It’s a hot day out there, and the pace quickly lessens… but picks up once more once the finish is in sight!
He finished up with a respectable official time of 27:46, good for 47th place of 62 in the 7-10 age group. Good job, Josh!!
Ryley was pretty psyched for her race as well, she was nearly first to the line when it was her turn to go! The tiny tots were split up into their ages, so Ryley raced with the 4-year-olds after the 5 and 6-year-olds were gone. They start them just in the water a few feet deep so they can dash up onto the beach and into the transition to pick up their bike. And of course, one parent is allowed to race alongside!
Up the beach they go – on their way to transition…!
Not sure if the bike was the full 250m (it was over in a flash), then out they went for their little run. Ryley was really zooming along, she’s a pretty fast runner when she wants to be!
Great job, our little Triathletes! Until next year…