Hundreds of young athletes bring the heat to the 20th YMCA Kids Triathlon

THE WOODLANDS, TX – More than three hundred young Woodlands area children braved the early morning heat on Saturday to participate in the 20th annual YMCA Kids Triathlon, presented by Texas Children’s Hospital – The Woodlands, and part of the Y’s Summer Race Series. The event, originally slated to start at 7:30 in the morning, instead kicked off a half-hour earlier due to the excessive heat that has been pervading the area for weeks now.

The event was open to children ages 6 – 12, who gathered for a morning of friendly competition and physical activity that could possibly lead them to a lifetime of fitness. Though previous triathlon experience was not required, there were countless dozens of return athletes from last year.

“This is by far our largest turnout, pre- or post-Covid,” said event organizer Roxanne Davis. “Well over three hundred children – and their parents – have come despite the heat to participate in this great event.”

The Kids Triathlon benefits the YMCA Annual Campaign, which ensures everyone, regardless of age, income or background has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive at the Y. Proceeds from the event will help the Y multiply its impact in 2023.

“Triathlon is an exciting sport for young children because it involves three activities that every child enjoys – swimming, cycling and running,” said Davis. “Triathlon is an individual event with segments running consecutively until all three elements are completed.”

The event featured seven age divisions: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 years. Boys and girls competed separately in their age groups. The top 3 finishers, male and female, in each age group received a special award, and all participants received a goodie bag, t-shirt, and finisher medal.

The race course distances for the triathlon were designed for each age group: children ages 6 - 9 conducted a 50-meter swim, a one-mile bike ride, and a quarter-mile run. Children ages 10 - 12 competed in a 100-meter swim, a two-mile bike ride, and a half-mile run.

Results for Top 3 Competitors in Each Category

Boys 9 and under

1 Harrison Russell
2 Samuel Jordan
3 Duke Fulham

Girls 9 and under

1 Avery Lambert
2 Margaret Stefero
3 Dailyn Miller

Boys 10 - 12

1 Callen Quinn
2 Russell Greenblatt
3 Carter Russell

Girls 10 - 12

1 Isabella Camiro
2 Madison Challis
3 Gracie Jordan

Boys 13 (age change after registration)

1 Daniel Morales
2 Peter Wade
3 Logan Belsha

Girls 13 (age change after registration)

1 Alanis Rentas
2 Johanna Cabriana