Following the positive community response and overall success of this year’s Tri Aroostook, anticipation is building for the 2013 REDY…Set…Let’s Go! Youth Triathlon, and for Tri-Aroostook 2014.
June’s Tri Aroostook boasted a 50-percent increase in participation over the inaugural event in 2012. Many participants submitted inspiring testimonials to race director Jonathan Kelley about their positive experience with the event, which he shared on the Tri Aroostook Facebook page.
Billie Porter, pharmacy operations supervisor for TAMC and first-time participant in Tri Aroostook, raced in the company of many of her co-workers and friends.
“I specifically say I competed with, and not against, the other athletes because no matter what part of the course I was on, they were always so positive and encouraging. It was unlike any other race I’ve been a part of in that respect.” Porter said. “It was awesome.”
Porter’s accomplishment inspired a young member of her family to get active as well.
“It really made me feel like I was doing the right thing when I crossed the finish line and saw my husband and three kids waiting there for me,” Porter added. “My oldest son, who’s only five, said to me ‘Mom, I can do that! I can swim, I can bike, and I can run. I want to do a triathlon!’ I told him that we will start practicing now so he’ll be ready when he’s old enough to compete in the youth triathlon.”
In order to give her son a glimpse into the kid-friendly competition he will be preparing for in the coming years, Porter plans to volunteer at the 2013 Redy…Set…Let’s Go! Youth Triathlon, set for Sunday, Sept. 8 at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
Over 100 children are preparing to improve their level of physical activity by participating in the second annual youth triathlon, which is a collaboration of TAMC, Healthy Aroostook and the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
“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 to encourage triathletes 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.
The event supports the principles of obesity prevention developed by Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0. 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.
The youth triathlon, like the adult version of the sport, will consist of swimming, biking, and running. Triathletes between the ages of 7 and 10 will swim 50 yards, bike two miles, and run half a mile. Participants between the ages of 11 and 14 will swim 100 yards, bike 2.5 miles, and run one mile.
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. Over 60 active youth participated in 2012, and this year’s 110 registration openings have already filled up.
“It’s an excellent opportunity for our youth to participate in an emerging, but growing, sport. Their ambition in training for three sports rather than one shows in their smiles and their laughter as they cross the finish line,” said race director Jonathan Kelley. “The increase in registered participants is due not only to Aroostook County athletes but those from all over the entire state. The race committee is excited to show off what has become a premier event in Presque Isle.”
“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. We are so pleased to see the interest and participation in the event has grown so much in just one year.”
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
“Youth obesity continues to be a significant problem in Aroostook County and throughout Maine,” said 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.”
Adding to the youth involvement and excitement again in 2013 was the REDY…Set…Let’s Go! Youth Triathlon T-shirt logo contest. Submissions were accepted until June 7 and the winner was then selected by a committee of event organizers. The winning logo, submitted by Emma Bouchard of Presque Isle, will be displayed on all of the T-shirts for the 2013 event.
While registration for participants has filled up, community members are encouraged to register to volunteer at the event. Volunteer assistance is needed at all stages of the course. Those interested in getting involved should visit http://redyyouthtriathlon.org/ for more information.
