Mighty Tikes Triathlon

Last Saturday, Carter competed in the Mighty Tikes Triathlon.  It's put on by Williamson County Parks & Recreation and was located at the Franklin Rec Center.  The race is for 3 to 7 year olds and includes a biking section, a run with a few obstacles, and a run through sprinklers to represent the swim portion. It only cost $10 and the kids each got a shirt and medal.

At check-in, the kids got numbers to put on their shirts.  Carter really liked his number - two "4"s, just like his age :)

Carter was very excited about doing the race but also did awesome waiting for the start.  They divided the kids up into about 20 heats with 3 or 4 kids per heat.  The heats started every couple of minutes

Rylan said he wants to do the race next year.

One of Rylan's classmates (Max) did the race (he's already 3) along with his 2 older brothers.

Will, Hannah, and Dowden also raced in a different heat (their parents changed their heats so they were all together).

The race was very short (it took only about 3 minutes), but it was a great introduction to a triathlon since it included all three sports in some form, heats, and transition stations.  Here is Carter starting the race with 2 other kids in his heat.

He was very determined and focused while riding his Big Wheel.

The transition area from biking to running ...

And the run ...

The run followed a zigzag path and the kids were supposed to step in some hoops and bounce on some balls.  It was a little disorganized though and not all the kids knew they were supposed to do those things.  Also, the grass was super wet and all the kids wiped out at least once (and that was before the sprinklers).

Carter wiped out hard right before the sprinklers and took his time through them (I think he twisted his knee a little and it took a few minutes for the sting to wear off).

With some cheering from Brian, he finished strong!

All the kids got a medal after crossing the finish line.

Carter, Will, Dowden, and Hannah all had a blast.

Lil Sluggers (who Carter does baseball through) was a sponsor of the race and their mascot was at the race.

Carter is pretty proud of all his loot: a shirt, medal, race number, bag, and water bottle (not pictured).

The race was really well organized and fun even though it was so short.  We'll definitely be signing up both boys next year.  There are a few other youth triathlons around here that Carter will be old enough for in a few years.