A Trifecta Of Fun
Wonder Kids Triathlon expands activities for younger age groups
By Tina Boysha
Photos: Clarksville Parks & Recreation
As the fifth-largest city in Tennessee, Clarksville has had a growing need for more local sports and activities for younger age groups. To meet this need, the Clarksville Parks and Recreation Department athletics staff created the Wonder Kids Triathlon. This swim, bike, and run event promotes an active lifestyle for today’s youth and strives to teach good sportsmanship, while providing a fun and non-competitive environment. In its first year, the event reached its maximum capacity of 100 participants three weeks in advance of race day. The cost of entry was $25 per participant, which included a shirt, swim cap, medal, and drawstring backpack full of swag donated by local businesses.
Revving Up
The event was open to children ages 3 through 12, who were assigned a color-coded age category:
Blue, 3-5 years
Yellow, 6-7 years
Red, 9-12 years.
The swim start, transition area, and route for biking and running were also colored-coded to correspond with each age group. Registration numbers for each group were approximately equal, with some athletes venturing in from surrounding counties. Since the event was not timed, numbers and body tattoos were unnecessary. Participants and their parents were given the opportunity to walk the route and ask questions the night before the event.
The department partnered with the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System to secure the best and safest location for all three portions of the race. The system provided a middle school’s paved driveway and parking lot for the bike route, along with a large, open field for the running portion. The school and the field are adjacent to the park’s aquatic center, which kept the events in a central location and off main thoroughfares to provide the safest routes for participants.
The event was in an under-served area of the community, bringing exposure to one of the city’s pools and recreation centers. Since the triathlon was held in the summer, patrons were allowed to tour the pool facility before it was converted from an outdoor pool into an indoor aquatic center for the winter.
Fueling Funding
With no budget to make this event a reality, sponsors were secured by the athletics staff to pay expenses not covered by registration fees. Sponsors received media exposure, an opportunity to be on-site to present the medals, and an option to provide items for the triathletes’ swag bags. Bag pick-up was held at each title sponsor’s location to bring people into the business. Sponsors also brought volunteers to assist children along the course and were provided a customized Wonder Kids Triathlon backdrop for photo opportunities at the finish line. Other sponsors included a physical-therapy business that provided T-shirts for all event volunteers and provided on-site triage in case of injuries (none occurred). Another partnering business was Riverside Bicycle Shop, which set up an equipment check station, inspecting each child’s bike before the race. Sponsors and registration fees made it possible to purchase supplies and signage, have water for participants, and ensure each participant wore a helmet and rode a bike that passed safety standards. In addition to the monetary contributions, many volunteers donated their time and efforts to help with check-in, participant lineup, race start, transition area, route safety, water stations, and finish line. The Clarksville Women’s Rugby team also provided volunteers for many aspects of the race. The local college, Austin Peay State University, supplied the university mascot and cheerleaders to assist with various stages of the event. Shoney’s restaurant, Kona Ice Snow Cones, and the local newspaper brought their mascots to entertain the kids during the event. Parks and recreation staff members also provided key assistance.
The Finish Line
To promote the event, messages were broadcast via posters, handbills, registration forms, newspaper ads, local publications, scrolling TV ads, recreation guides, email blasts, e-newsletters, Facebook, Twitter, and booths at other family events and triathlon-specific websites.
Given the opportunity to host this event again, the staff will make possible changes and additions that include expanding the participants’ age ranges, opening more registration spots, and adding more activities to increase the “fun factor” for all ages.
For other organizations looking to host a similar event, be mindful of the space needed to be successful, particularly for staging and transitions, as well as parking.
While it is difficult to quantify, the inaugural Wonder Kids Triathlon had a terrific impact on the lives of many youths in Clarksville and the surrounding area. Through unsolicited emails, many participants and spectators expressed their appreciation for the all-around, well-organized, fun event for the community.
Tina Boysha, CPRP, CYSA, is the Athletic Superintendent for the Clarksville Parks and Recreation Department in Clarksville, Tenn. Reach her at tina.boysha@cityofclarksville.com.