Kent Kids Prepare for Second-Annual Triathlon

The second annual Tree City Triathlon, a charity event for youth, will kick off at 8 a.m. July 9 at .

Participants can be between the ages of 5 and 17. The event is broken down into age groups, with each group completing different swimming, biking and running requirements. The course begins at the high school pool and moves through both the high school and campuses.

"Our goal is to get kids moving," said Maria McCarty, triathlon coordinator. "We have a lot of kids that don't move anymore. All they move is their fingers."

Proceeds from the triathlon go to Kids Soles, an organization that purchases athletic shoes from Ritchies Sporting Goods and donates them to Portage County children who can't afford to buy their own.

"We put athletic shoes on 30 kids last year that may not have had them otherwise," said Susan Adair, triathlon coordinator. "Hopefully, this year that number will increase."

Though the triathlon is not timed, the event concludes with an awards ceremony at the high school football stadium.  The first 125 participants will receive a medal, T-shirt and treat bag to celebrate their achievement.

"Completing a triathlon is quite an accomplishment and we have many, many kids participating for the second year, so they must have loved it," Adair said.

McCarty said she's most looking forward to seeing the looks on the participants' faces at the end of the event.

"They're proud. They're happy," she said. "They've worked hard for it."

For more information or to get a registration form, visit the Tree City Triathlon website.