Ankeny Kids Gearing Up to Swim, Bike and Run

Unfortunately, the swimming event comes first in a traditional triathlon. Hundreds of youth may wish it were last as they prepare to compete in Saturday’s fifth annual Ankeny Youth Triathlon amid the week’s steadily high temperatures.

Organizers acknowledged the heat will be an issue but said they are well prepared to handle the situation.

“The kids get dehydrated, but we have staff there that do a great job responding,” said Ryan Penning, recreation supervisor with Ankeny’s Parks and Recreation Department.

Two police officers, along with trained staff from the Ankeny Community Response Team (ACERT), will be on location throughout the duration of the triathlon.

“We have that with any big event but especially with the heat that we’ll have on Saturday, it’s even more important.”

Over 300 youth ages 7-14 are expected to compete in this year’s triathlon, a record from last year when 262 participated.

“Our first year we had 139. It’s really taken off in four short years,” Penning said.

There are four age divisions: 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14 years with girls and boys competing separately.

All events will take place near the . Kids will start off at 8:30 a.m. swimming laps at the aquatic center, then don their helmets and shoes to bike around the complex – finally finishing up with the running event at the track.

The entry fee is $35 and includes a gift bag of apparel. Every athlete will receive a medal for participating. Division winners will receive a plaque.

The Triathlon Racers of Iowa supply a majority of the 100 volunteers working the event. Donations from the Ankeny Jaycees and marketing promotions from TV station KCWI make the event possible year after year, Penning said.

"We are very excited about the continued growth of the Ankeny Youth Triathlon,” said Lindsay Schwarte, Ankeny Jaycees vice president of marketing.

“As an organization, the Jaycees is dedicated to helping improve our community and we believe this event is a unique way to encourage families to get active together as well as showcase our city to visitors from across the country.”

Kids still have time to register for the triathlon. The registration deadline is this Thursday, July 21 at 5 p.m.

An informational meeting will also be held at the  shelter Thursday night at 7 p.m. Attendance is strongly encouraged as organizers will be showing participants the course layout and give instructions on transitioning between the swimming, biking and running events.

Registration can be completed on the parks and recreation website.