Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, June 3, 1995 TAG: 9506050028
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: TONYA WOODS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
No sodas or sugary snacks for 12-year-old Valerie Cole; she's in training.
She's hoping the six laps she does three days a week on her Schwinn racing bike at Wasena Park and the two laps she runs at a health club will pay off Sunday.
She will join nearly 200 young amateur athletes at Roanoke's Fallon Park in the IronKids Bread Triathlon.
"Practice is harder than racing," said the Cave Spring Junior High sixth-grader, who will compete this year for the fifth time. "The race is a lot more fun when you're doing it. You just let yourself go."
The event, part of the largest series of triathlons in the country for children, is sponsored by the Rainbo Bread Co. and presented by the Roanoke Valley YMCA.
This year the triathlon consists of a 100-meter swim, a 3.1-mile bike trek, and a half-mile run for junior participants ages 7 to 10. For the senior participants, 11 to 14, those distances are doubled.
"There are more children watching TV than out riding a bike," said Elizabeth O'Leary, special events manager for Rainbo Bread's parent company. "We promote lifetime sports, things children can do for the rest of their lives."
Since the IronKids Bread Triathlon held its first event in 1985, about 30,000 children nationwide have competed. This is the sixth year the event has been held in Roanoke.
Myron Cole, Valerie's father, said Valerie and her older sister, who competed until she outgrew the triathlon, do not limit their physical activities to the triathlon.
"They swim all year-round now, and they even go biking with me sometimes," he said.
The young competitors also will be encouraged to show good sportsmanship and to enjoy what they are doing.
"Not many kids have done a triathlon," said YMCA Director Cal Johnson, who is in charge of the race. "So for most of them, it'll be a big accomplishment to finish."
The motto for this year's event is "Every finisher is a winner." Each child will break through a finisher's ribbon and walk away with a finisher pin, a T-shirt, a swim cap and other IronKids prizes.
Scott Bauman's three children - sons Andy and Mark and daughter Carrie - have competed in the triathlon for three years. He said the event is more than a good way to motivate children to exercise.
"It's a lovely way to spend time with your kids," he said. "I'm suggesting people give it a try."
Mark Bauman, 9, who placed fourth in his age group last year, says he hasn't done any rigid preparation for Sunday because he exercises on a regular basis.
"I ride my bike a lot," said the Back Creek Elementary third-grader, "and I swim and play soccer."
The only qualifications are being between 7 and 14 and at least knowing how to swim with a kick board.
"Participation is not limited," said Donna Berry, a publicist for the IronKids Triathlon. "We have volunteers who help the kids if they don't swim too well, and we even try to accommodate children with physical handicaps as best we can."
The triathlon will take place in 14 cities across the country this summer, including Nashville, Tenn.; Oklahoma City; Fresno, Calif.; and Atlanta, where the national championships will be held Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.
The top three competitors in each event from each city will win a trip to the national championship finals. A random drawing will be held to send another lucky participant to Atlanta as well.
by CNB