What: Caldwell Youth Triathlon and Triathalon Prep Camp
When: Triathalon is Saturday, Sept. 17, 7:30 a.m.
Where: Redding Aquatic Center, 44 Quartz Hill,Redding, CA 96003
Cost: For prep-camp participants, $20. Otherwise, registration by Monday (Aug. 15), $25; by Sept. 13, $35; after and on race day, $45.
Redding Recreation will be hosting its 2nd annual youth triathlon on Saturday, September 17th in Caldwell Park. The Caldwell Youth Triathlon is designed to give first-time triathletes a fun and safe introduction to the sport while rewarding them with a tremendous sense of accomplishment.
Redding Recreation offers local residents the chance to participate in a range of athletic leagues, activities, and classes as part of the pursuit of an active and enriched life. The Caldwell Youth Triathlon was developed in an effort to introduce a program that is truly unique to the Redding area.
Triathlon is one of the fastest-growing youth sports in the nation. It combines swimming, biking and running into one demanding race. The Caldwell Park course will take participants from the Redding Aquatic Center pool, into Caldwell Park, and onto the Sacramento River Trail. There will be plenty of room for spectators along the way.
Alongside the triathlon will be a health and fitness fair that is free and open to the public. The fair features local businesses and organizations such as Mix 101, The Holistic Water Store, Grilla Bites, Girls on the Run, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, fire department engines, performances by The Shasta Skippers, dancers with the Rock and Dip Dance Studio, and much, much more. There will also be a raffle contest for free recreation sport leagues certificates, year-long memberships to Shasta Athletic Club, sports equipment from Hermit’s Hut Base Camp, and more. Fair hours are from 9 a.m. to noon in the grassy area below the Carter Art House.
The race begins at 9 a.m. and is preceded by a mandatory instructional meeting at 8:30 a.m. The transition area opens at 7:30 a.m., where bike and other equipment placement is on a first-come, first-served basis. Five- to 8-year-olds will be the first in the pool, followed by 9- to 12-year-olds, 13- to 16-year-olds, and finally the 17- to 18-year-olds. Course distances are different for each of the four age groups.
A triathlon prep-camp is offered as an introduction to the sport and a way to encourage and train the athletes. It will be on Saturdays 8/27 and 9/10 from noon – 3 p.m. at the Caldwell Park Teen Center. The cost is $20 and for ages 5 to 18. The coaches will teach the fundamentals of biking, running, and swimming long distances, as well as the proper way to transition from one to the next.
Registration will be open through the day of the event for boys and girls age 5 to 18. Prices are discounted for prep-camp participants at $20. Registration until 8/15 is $25, 8/16 to 9/13 it is $35, and 9/14 to the day of the race is $45. All participants will receive a commemorative t-shirt and gift bag which includes free raffle contest tickets. Medals will go to the top three finishers across each division. Participants must provide their own bicycle and helmet. Life jackets are available for those in need. To register, call Redding Recreation at 225-4095, stop in the office at 1250 Parkview Ave., or print the registration form from the website and mail to PO Box 496071, Redding, CA 96049-6071.
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