Roger Lee/Journal Scene

The run leg of the Y triathlon will take participants down scenic paths such as this one behind event founder Hal Hatchett.

Roger Lee/Journal Scene

The Y triathlon will start with a swim in the pool beside the farmhouse in The Ponds neighborhood.

What started as a passing thought could turn into a premier summer event.

While looking out across his neighborhood one day, it occurred to Ponds resident Hal Hatchett that his subdivision would be the perfect place for a youth triathlon.

A triathlete himself, Hatchett wants to grow interest and provide opportunities for younger athletes who have limited exposure to the sport.

He pitched the idea to officials with The Ponds and Summerville Family YMCA and the first annual YMCA Kids Triathlon was born.

“This is a natural marriage,” Hatchett said. “We will use the existing trails in The Ponds for the running course and the Junior-Olympic sized pool here lends itself to being a great swim venue. Triathloning is a sport that is gaining in popularity all over the country. There is a youth event in June at Daniel Island, but we want to have something in the Summerville area that gives kids an outlet for exercise. We are hoping it will encourage kids to workout all summer with the goal of participating in the triathlon at the end of the summer.”

Scheduled for 7:30 a.m. Aug. 15, the event is for athletes age seven-14.

The race will begin with a 100-meter (four-laps) swim in The Ponds salt-water pool.

From there, participants will go to a transition area beside the farmhouse, put on shoes and biking/running uniform and peddle a two-and-half-mile (age seven-10) or five-mile (10-14) route through neighborhood streets.

Then racers will rack their bike and run a half-mile (seven-10) or mile (10-14) to the finish line in front of the Farmhouse.

The event is open not only to local residents, but to anyone between the ages of seven and 14.

Organizers are hoping to attract 100 or more athletes annually once the event gets established.

“Most kids enjoy biking and swimming anyway and the run is very manageable for the age groups,” Hatchett said.

“We encourage anyone who has an interest in triathlons to come out. This will be a great way to get started. If a kid enjoys swimming, biking or running, they may enjoy this event.”

The registration fee is $15 prior to Aug. 8 and $20 after. Forms may be picked up at any YMCA location or downloaded off the Y’s Website: SummervilleYMCA.org.

All participants must bring their own bicycle (any type), helmet, running shoes and t-shirt.

Once the race begins, parents will not be allowed on the course, including the transition area.

“They don’t allow parents out on the soccer field to help their kids kick the ball,” Hatchett said. “A triathlon is a continuation of three events and the transitions between are part of the sport. Your transition times are part of your overall time. We will have volunteers in the transition areas who have experience with triathlons so they can help guide the kids.”

A good view of the event shouldn’t be hard to find. Hatchett says the park next to the farmhouse and the sidewalks in front of the real-estate cottage and farmhouse would be good places to set up for anyone interested in seeing the beginning and end of the bicycle leg and the end of the run leg.

He recommends that participants arrive at The Ponds an hour before the race.

The Y does have sponsorship and volunteer opportunities available.

For further information on either or the event itself, contact Linda Walton at 871-9622, extension 119.

Contact Roger Lee @ 873-9424 ext. 213 or rlee@journalscene.com.

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