DES MOINES, IA (07/07/2010)(readMedia)-- Not only will young triathletes be able to qualify for the National United States Triathlon competition during the Flatland Youth Triathlon Festival July 10 in West Des Moines, they'll also be eligible for savings bonds and a scholarship from Bank Iowa.

The top finishers in the swim portion of the four elite swim races will receive the "Spirit of Chandy," a special award presented by Bank Iowa as a tribute to Chandra "Chandy" Louise Barr Clanton and her love of swimming. Clanton was vice-chair of Bank Iowa Corporation, a second-generation leader in the company. She sadly passed away July 10 of 2009 while piloting her Zivko Edge 540 aerobatic plane in Missouri on a training flight. As part of the award, each recipient will also receive a $250 scholarship to be used toward the pursuit of national and international competitions for the sport of triathlon.

"Since Chandy's passing, we have been looking for an opportunity to honor her memory through an event consistent with her values," explained J. Bradley Barr, Clanton's brother and director of Bank Iowa Corporation. "She was a competitive tri-athlete, a passion she shared with her two sons, Harrison and Drew. When we learned of the first annual Flatland Kids Triathlon Festival to be held on the anniversary of her passing, becoming the title sponsor was a natural fit."

Bank Iowa will also provide $50 savings bonds to each of the top three athletes in each of three male and female amateur divisions.

"Their former vice chair was an athletic, vivacious individual. Their sponsorship will honor her spirit and we are very thankful for their support," Craig Hanken, race director, said.

The festival is the first of its kind in the area. A day-long event for ages 6 through 19, the event will include four elite athlete draft-legal races and three races for new triathletes. More than 300 young athletes from 26 states are already signed up to compete. The Flatland Tri has been designated a USA Triathlon Youth Elite and Junior Elite Cup Race and is the only qualifying event for the National United States Triathlon competition in San Diego in August.

The event was recently moved from Gray's Lake Park due to flooding. Parking, the start line and transitions will now be at West Des Moines City Hall, 4200 Mills Civic Parkway, and the swim portion of the event will be in the nearby lake.

Barr added, "Physical and financial fitness go hand in hand. This sponsorship gives us an opportunity to connect to the community, especially young people, and promote the pursuit of health and financial wellness."

The event is also sponsored by Action Accents, American Equity Insurance Company, Anderson Erickson Dairy, Children and Families of Iowa, Clif Bar, Des Moines University, DSM Tri, Elder Corporation, Iowa Events Center, Iowa Network Services, MidAmerican Energy, Nuun, Scion of Des Moines, Speedo, TMC Transportation, Ume Compete and the YMCA.

Visit www.FlatlandKidsTrifest.com to register, find out more information, sign up to sponsor or volunteer with the event.

"Spirit of Chandy" award named for former Bank Iowa Corporation vice chair

On July 10, 2009, Chandra Louise Barr Clanton was flying her Zivko Edge 540 aerobatic plane on a training mission in Tarkio, Missouri when she crashed and was killed immediately.

Clanton, or "Chandy" as she was known, was a vibrant, energetic woman of 36 who loved aerobatic flying, triathlons, her faith and her family. She left behind two sons, Harrison and Drew, now 11 and 8, her father Harry and brother J.B.

She grew up in Nebraska and served on the board of directors for Bank Iowa Corporation. A talented aerobatic flyer, she was the youngest female pilot at the 2003 World Championships and won the Programme Q flight at the 2007 World Championships. She also served as a missionary pilot for Mission Central, a branch of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod.

This year Bank Iowa, led by Chandy's brother J.B. and father Harry, will bestow the "Spirit of Chandy" award in her honor at the Flatland Youth Triathlon Festival on July 10.

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ElitaEvents is an experienced multi-sport event production company in Iowa. They organize the Jordan Creek Duathlon, Copper Creek Triathlon, Big Creek Tri 29, D.O.athlon for Life, among others. Their staff includes a USAT Certified Race Director and ITU official.

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Bank Iowa is a group of independent banks with 24 locations in 21 communities across the state. Each Bank Iowa offers the services of a large financial institution, but operates as a community bank in which decisions are made locally. The Bank Iowa locations are affiliates of Bank Iowa Corporation, a privately owned bank holding company headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, with combined assets of $1 billion.

Posted Wednesday July 07, 2010 at 10:03 am by Des Moines University, a sponsor of Flatland Kids Trifest
Last Updated Tuesday July 24, 2012 at 04:39 pm