Peterborough's Kids Triathlon for children 3-11 years old.
Dr. Shufelt's Kids Triathlon is a fun event designed to keep kids ages 3-11 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.
Race age is based on July 1st, 2019! Race registration can be transfered to another child, but no refunds available.
This year's event is in support of Food for Kids Peterborough and County. Food for Kids Peterborough and County is a non-profit community partnership that supports student nutrition programs. Student nutrition programs are a positive way to start the day with the nutrition kids need to perform their best! There is a clear link between between good nutrition and an increased ability. Teachers report better behaviour, attitude, alertness, attention spanned learning when nutrition programs are offered. Childhood is a critical time to establish healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.
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!
