Triathlon to challenge youths

    Local children are being invited to get “Redy” to improve their level of physical activity by participating in the very first Redy…Set…Let’s Go! Youth Triathlon, scheduled to take place Sept. 9 at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
    The event is a collaboration of The Aroostook Medical Center, Healthy Aroostook and the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
    “This special triathlon just for kids is a great way for our youth to have a lot of fun while being active,” said Reegan Brown, youth triathlon coordinator and community education specialist with Healthy Aroostook, a program of ACAP.
    “Many kids will spend the summer outside swimming, biking, and running. Because these are the same activities they will be doing at the Youth Triathlon, this event is the perfect opportunity for them to stay active all summer and put their skills to the test this fall. It is also a great way to encourage our youth to try a new sport.”
    When attending the triathlon, local children may see Redy, the well-known mascot of Let’s Go. Event organizers decided to name the event after Redy because he plays an active role in educating youth about building healthy habits.
    “Some people see the word ‘Redy’ and think it is a misspelling, but it’s actually the name of our mascot. Redy visits schools and community events to remind children to eat a healthy diet and find ways to be physically active,” Brown said.
    The event is open to any child between the ages of 7 and 13. Children between the ages of 7 and 9 will swim 50 yards, bike 2 miles, and run one-half mile. Older participants will swim 100 yards, bike 2.5 miles, and run 1 mile.
    According to Brown, the event is appropriate for children of all skill levels.
    “The Youth Triathlon is perfect for beginners, those who are more advanced, and everyone in between,” she said. “The event is about being active, getting to know the participants, and having fun.”
    Several free training sessions are being held throughout the summer to help children prepare for the event. Swimming and yoga sessions have already been held, and swimming, running, and Zumba sessions are planned for the coming months. All of these training sessions will be held at UMPI’s Gentile Hall.
    “We are so pleased to serve as the host site for the area’s first-ever youth triathlon and the training sessions leading up to it,” former UMPI President Don Zillman said. “The university has been a long-time proponent of physical activity and healthy lifestyles – the legacy left by Caroline Gentile, who spent a lifetime promoting health and physical education, is one strong illustration. This event allows our campus to continue that legacy, while providing our faculty and staff with an excellent way to serve the community and giving our students a great opportunity to get real-world, hands-on experiences working with local youth.”
    The event supports principles developed by Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0, a nationally recognized youth obesity prevention program that has partners throughout Maine. A 2010 study commissioned by EMHS, MaineGeneral Health, and MaineHealth found that Aroostook County has the highest percentage of overweight high school students in the state. The goal of Let’s Go! is to reduce the rate of childhood obesity by encouraging children to eat more fruits and vegetables, limit time spent in front of a television or computer, increase physical activity, and eliminate sugary drinks. The local effort is headed up by Healthy Aroostook and EMHS in collaboration with other community partners including TAMC, schools, workplaces, and others.
    “TAMC and EMHS are strong supporters of Let’s Go!,” said Sylvia Getman, TAMC President and CEO. “The benefits of eating a healthy diet and becoming active are so great. One way to build healthy communities is to encourage children to adopt healthy habits that can last a lifetime. This event is one step in the process.”
    More information about the Youth Triathlon, including a registration form, can be found at www.redyyouthtriathlon.org. For a $20 registration fee, participants receive a T-shirt, healthy snacks and water at the event, and access to the university’s facilities during the training sessions and event.
    Event organizers also encourage participants to visit the website to learn about a T-shirt design contest. Youth who have registered for the event are invited to sketch out a design on a piece of paper or submit their creation electronically. The winning design will be featured on the event t-shirt.
    Forty-six people have registered for the Youth Triathlon to date, and organizers hope several more will sign up in the coming weeks. The planning committee continues to finalize the course, hold training sessions, and make all of the preparations necessary for putting on a great event.
    “Our committee is very passionate about creating and sustaining opportunities for our youth to be active within the community, and the Youth Triathlon is a big part of this,” said Brown. “We encourage anyone who is interested to come out and give it a try. You don’t need to be an experienced athlete to have a great time.”