Kids of Steel test their mettle at Sharbot Lake Triathlon

Jeff Green | Jul 11, 2013

The adults have had their fun at the 5th Annual Sydenham Triathlon, and now the kids will have their chance at the end of July in Sharbot Lake. The Kids of Steel Triathlon is returning after an eight-year hiatus. Race day is Sunday July 28.

For 14 and 15-year-old triathletes, the race will also be an opportunity to qualify for the Ontario Summer Games, which will be held in Sudbury next summer.

The 2013 event is part of a three-race series that is being organized by the Bytown Storm Triathlon Club, joining existing races in Stittsville and Dunrobin.

Greg Kealey, a triathlon coach and the club's founder, said that the club wanted to add an event to make the series stronger.

“I’ve been to the Sharbot Lake triathlons in the past, and I know how good the location is and how successful they have been, so it was easy to choose it as the location for a third race for our series,” he said.

He added that the added bonus for his Ottawa-based club was the ability to attract athletes from Frontenac County and Kingston who might not want to travel to the other events sponsored by the club.

In addition to being a qualifying event for the Summer games, the Kids of Steel includes events for children as young as six years old.

The distances vary depending on the age group, with 6 to 7-year-olds completing a 50 metre swim, 1.5 kilometre bike ride, and a 500 metre run. The oldest age group, 14 to 15-year-olds, swim 400 metres, bike 10 km, and run 4 km.

Online Registration for the Kids of Steel, which costs $51, is available until Sunday, July 21 at http://bytowntriathlon.com/kos-sharbot-lake/ It will still be possible to register by phone up until the day before the race, but only online registrants are guaranteed to receive a race t-shirt.

There are separate road and mountain bike divisions, and the bikes will be inspected before the race to make sure they are safe to ride. A certified bicycle helmet must be worn by all athletes as well.

“The main goal of all our races, and that is what we want to bring to Frontenac County, is to provide an introduction and a continuing opportunity for children to enjoy the sport of triathlon,” said Kealey.

To that end there is even a FunDu division for children under six years old - a 50 metre swim, 200 metre bike ride, and 100 metre run. Registration for the FunDu and can be done on the day of the race.

The Kids of Steel started up in Sharbot Lake in the 1980s, attracting athletes from Kingston and beyond, including Canada's most celebrated triathlete, Simon Whitfield, whose accomplishments (Olympic gold and silver medals in four appearances in the games) are marked by a plaque on the beach.

Volunteers are also being sought for race day.

“We like to get a number of volunteers so the time commitment can be limited and volunteers can still have time to cheer their friends and relatives on,” said Greg Kealey.

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