The 14th annual “Splash, Mash and Dash” Lincoln Kids Triathlon—with three age-appropriate sets of distances to run, bike and swim—takes place on Saturday, June 17 starting at 8:30 a.m.
The swim segment ranges from a 25-meter swim for the youngest kids (age 5-6) up to a 150-meter swim six lengths of the Codman pool) for the oldest (ages 13-14); the bike ranges from 1–4 miles and the run leg is ¼ mile for the youngest and 1 mile for the oldest kids. Putting all three together into one race means that the time spent switching between events (known as transitions) also counts toward the overall time; running from the pool to the bike, putting on shoes, buckling the mandatory helmet, mounting the bike, and dismounting the bike are all skills that are important for a fast time and make for an entertaining, bustling transition area.
Children ages 5-14 are invited to participate; register in advance at the Lincoln Recreation Department website or in person at the Lincoln Recreation Department. All race distances and other event details are available at www.kidstri.net. Race packet pickup will be on Friday, June 16 at Hartwell from 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturday June 17 from 7:15–8:15 a.m. There is race-day registration, but the entry fee increases from $30 to $40 on race day, so save money by registering before June 17.
The race begins at 8:30 a.m. on June 17 and no cars will be allowed to leave the Lincoln School complex until the bike portion of the race has finished. Residents should also note that the section of Lincoln Road from Ballfield Road to the intersection with Trapelo Road will be closed from 8:30 a.m. until about 10 a.m. for the race.
The event couldn’t take place without support from all aspects of the Lincoln community: the Lincoln Recreation Department, which helps organize the event; the Codman Pool lifeguards, who keep all the swimmers safe, Lincoln Police, who close the road to keep the cyclists safe; and the many course volunteers from the community who help keep the kids on course and hydrated.
In addition, many local businesses sponsor the event. Emerson Hospital, Team Psycho (a local triathlon club), CGI, Allen Sports and Barrett Sotheby International Realty have given key financial support that helps pay for the elaborate timing system, finishers’ medals, T-shirts, and goody bag giveaways. Prizes for the top three in each age group, raffle items and post-race food are donated by local businesses Donelan’s, Something Special, Saucony, Marathon Sports, and Ashworth Awards as well as national companies like TYR and Clif Bar.
Anyone interested in volunteering at this event may email Ginger Reiner at ginger.reiner@gmail.com. (Click here for a story about the 2012 event.)
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