Dr Shufelt's Kids Triathlon

July 30th, 2016
Beavermead Park, Peterborough Ontario

Where it all began:

Dave Dame, owner of Runner’s Life Multisport on Charlotte St. in Peterborough and a triathlete himself, had a vision to see children from ages 2-13 engaged and enjoying the events of a triathlon (swimming, biking, and running), as well as the reaping the benefits of being active from a young age. With his love for grassroots, community-based races, he has done just that!

Since it's start in 2005, this race has become a community favorite and is sure to be an amazing, memorable summer experience for the whole family!'

The Kids Tri Committee:

The Kids Tri Committee is made up of a number of dedicated men and women, athletes from the Peterborough community and beyond. They meet regularly for eight months of the year to plan this event and make it happen: getting sponsors, ordering t-shirts, medals, swim caps, etc., organizing food, getting volunteers, networking with the city and park, promoting the big day, and building support from within our community.

Kids Tri Training Day 2016:

Runner's Life will host a Training Day Saturday July. 16th We will cover the skills needed to ensure your child enjoys the Kids Tri Experience. You must pre-register for the "Kids In Training Day" at Runner's Life and the fee is $20. Each age-group will have a different start time! Click here for more info.

Our Sponsors:

Every year we have many amazing people, companies, and organizations from our community who generously donate their skills, equipment, resources, and finances to make this event happen. For more information about who our fabulous sponsors are this year, check out the Sponsors tab at the top of the page.

Our Volunteers:

We could not make this happen without the help of our volunteers. People of every age, with or without triathlon experience come out willing and ready to help set up and tear down, register the children, prepare and serve food, help those who need it in the swim, bike, and run aspects of the race, as well as the transition zone in between. Last year we had 90 volunteers who helped make 250 + kids dreams become reality!

For more information about volunteering, check out the Volunteer tab at the top of the page.

The Race:

Dr. Shufelt's Kids Triathlon is a fun event designed to keep kids ages 2-13 active and healthy and introduce them to the fun of triathlon and fair play. Although there are prizes for the top 3 in each age group the emphasis is on participation and having fun in a supportive, safe environment.

Check out some videos from years past!

For more information about the race, how it works and where it is check out the Guide and Course Map tabs at the top of the page.

Why a Triathlon for kids?

Here’s what our Title Sponsor, Dr. Katy Shufelt (Cardiologist) has to say about why:

Inactivity in Children – a major public health issue for this century

Children should accumulate 90 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity in addition to incidental activities required for daily living (equivalent to 16,500 “steps” with a pedometer)

90% of Canadian children do not meet this guideline

Children should spend less than 2 hours per day of TV or leisure-related screen time

Each weekday, Canadian children and youth are averaging 5-6 hours of screen time, climbing to 6-7.5 hours per day on the weekend

Canada has one of the highest childhood obesity rates in the developed world
Between 1978-2004, the number of overweight children in Canada doubled, and during the same time period the incidence of obesity tripled
Obesity in youth and adolescents often continues into adulthood, which contributes to a range of diseases such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer

It is our responsibility as parents, teachers, and concerned community members to be role models for the children of today. We need to model behaviour that includes physical activity as an important part of our daily lives. We need to encourage kids to participate in physical activity every day. Sports are fun and have their own important life-lessons, and are a great option for most kids. However, physical activity doesn’t have to mean putting kids in a van and driving to yet another hockey arena or soccer field. There is the daily joy of riding a bike to school, swimming in the lake, or simply running around playing tag or hide-and-go seek with some neighbourhood friends.

Dr. Shufelt’s Kid’s Triathlon is meant to celebrate kids and parents making the great choice to be physically active. Hopefully, kids will see race day as a reason to keep working on their “swim-bike-run” skills all summer long. Let’s hope the children of this generation will be inspired to get active because it’s fun and makes them feel good. As adults we know this is the best start we can give them for healthy years ahead. Every parent wishes the best for their child’s future; let’s stop wishing and get moving!

In Support of PFRC

Over the years, the Peterborough Kids Triathlon has raised over $16,000 in support of The Peterborough Family Resource Centre (http://www.pfrc.ca) a valuable community-based non-profit organization.

The Peterborough Family Resource Centre provides information and support to expectant parents, families with children from birth to age 6, and child care providers living in the County and City of Peterborough, Ontario.

Peterborough Family Resource Centre offered a warm, caring, supportive environment that recognizes the importance of family in the development of happy, healthy children.

Programs and services include parent education, parent-child programs, well baby clinics, and much more, and are offered in a variety of urban and rural locations. The Peterborough Family Resource Centre is the designated Ontario Early Years Centre for Peterborough Riding, and the local site of the Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program and Community Action Program for Children.