BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – This summer, kids are given the chance to compete against their peers in Blue Springs’ first Kids Triathlon presented by Blue Springs HyVee. On Saturday, June 16, kids between the ages of 4-14 are encouraged to compete and have fun swimming, biking and with friends. The competition will begin at the Blue Springs Family Y, 1300 SE Adams Dairy Parkway, Blue Springs with body marking starting at 6:15 a.m.
Registration for the Triathlon has been extended to July 12. Participants will compete in one of three categories: Tri for Tots – 4-5 year olds; 6-10 year olds and 11-14 year olds. Details and registration information can be found at www.bluespringsgov.com/kidstriathlon or by calling the Blue Springs Parks & Recreation Department at (816) 228-0137.
“At a time when childhood obesity is reaching alarming rates, our goal is to show kids that physical fitness can be fun and rewarding,” said Blue Springs Mayor Carson Ross. “Our goal is to make every participant feels like a winner and raise their self-esteem from competing in a real triathlon.”
The Kids Triathlon was made possible thanks to the combined efforts the Let’s Move! Kids Triathlon Committee, City of Blue Springs, Mo., Blue Springs School District, Blue Springs Family Y, StandUp Blue Springs and the Blue Springs HyVee.
“A community-wide fitness event was something that ranked as a high-priority in the Let’s Move! Citizen Summits conducted by StandUp Blue Springs last summer,” said Dave Wright, President of StandUp Blue Springs. “This is an amazing example of what organizations can accomplish by coming together to address a common cause to benefit Blue Springs and its residents.”
About Let’s Move! Blue Springs
Last summer, StandUp Blue Springs facilitated several Citizen Summits resulting in 8 initial Let’s Move! Blue Springs project ideas.
The project ideas are:
• Backpack Food program
• Kids Triathlon
• Community Gardening
• Community 5K Training
• Expansion of Girls on the Run in Blue Springs
• Healthy Schools
• Let's Move! Saturdays
• Livable Streets
• Let's Move! Marketing and Public Relations
Blue Springs was officially designated as a Let’s Move! Community in March 2011. The Let’s Move! Blue Springs initiative is part of a national effort to raise healthier generations of citizens. This initiative is a comprehensive approach to engage the many sectors that reach children, including parents, families, schools, community leaders, municipalities and businesses. The Let’s Move! goals are based on four pillars: 1) make healthy family choices, 2) create healthy schools, 3) provide access to healthy, affordable food; and 4) promote physical activity.
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