Kids’ triathlon set for Sunday

    PRESQUE ISLE , Maine — Anticipation is building for Sunday’s third annual REDY…Set…Let’s Go! Youth Triathlon, which aims at getting kids to be more active.
The event, a collaboration of TAMC, Aroostook County Action Program’s (ACAP) Healthy Aroostook, and the University of Maine at Presque Isle, can accommodate over 100 children. Like the adult version of the sport, “REDY” will consist of swimming, biking and running. Participants between the ages of 7 and 10 will swim 50 yards, bike two miles and run a half mile. Participants between the ages of 11 and 14 will swim 100 yards, bike 2.5 miles, and run one mile.
“REDY” is not, in fact, a misspelling but the name of the well-known mascot of Let’s Go 5-2-1-0, a nationally-recognized youth obesity prevention program that has partners throughout Maine. The popular figure will be present at the event to encourage the participating youth to stay active, eat a healthy diet, and avoid spending too much time in front of the television. Event organizers named the triathlon after the well-known mascot because he embodies what the triathlon is all about, which is providing kids with an opportunity to get active in a fun, safe, and supportive environment.
UMPI will host the event, providing participants with an opportunity to swim in the Gentile Hall pool, as well as run and bike through much of the scenic campus. University officials are looking forward to welcoming triathletes, their families and volunteers to campus.
“The REDY…Set…Let’s Go! event is one of Redy’s favorite days of the year, he loves to watch the athletes engaged in sporting events and having fun while doing it,” said race director Jamie Chandler, CTG coordinator for ACAP.
Triathlon organizers have been helping participants reduce their risk of injury by emphasizing preparation. Many triathletes have been preparing at free monthly swimming, running, and yoga training sessions that have been held at UMPI throughout the summer. The sessions are intended to help participants increase endurance in the pool, become familiar with the course, and build physical skills that will help them for not only the coming event, but for their overall wellbeing.
“Youth obesity continues to be a significant problem in Aroostook County and throughout Maine,” said TAMC President and CEO Sylvia Getman. “TAMC is always looking for ways to make it easy and fun for kids to get active and build healthy habits that can last a lifetime. The TAMC team is looking forward to volunteering at the triathlon and cheering on the triathletes.”
“We are very excited to be partnering with TAMC and Healthy Aroostook for a day focused on kids, physical activity and healthy lifestyles. We can’t wait to see local youth swimming in the pool and biking and running throughout campus and we invite everyone in the community to join us and the youth triathletes for their big day,” said UMPI President Linda Schott.
Volunteer assistance is also needed at all stages of the course. Those interested in getting involved should visit www.redyyouthtriathlon.org.