New Triathlon Brings Opportunity Closer to Young Iowa Athletes

Flatland Kids Triathlon Festival Will Be Fun for All July 10

DES MOINES, IA (05/04/2010)(readMedia)-- The Flatland Kids Triathlon Festival on July 10 at Gray's Lake Park in Des Moines 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 two races for new triathletes.

"We all want our young people to be healthy and form life-long habits. To do that, we need to get them interested in athletic events at a young age. For that reason, we support the Flatland Tri," explained Frank Cownie, mayor of Des Moines. "Not only will it be a great vehicle for experienced young endurance athletes but also a good introduction to the sport for beginners."

Triathlons have increased 15 percent in popularity over the last two years, nationwide. Thanks to the Hy-Vee Triathlon and other successful events in the area, the stage is set for the Flatland Tri to become similarly successful as the premier elite and amateur youth triathlon in the country.

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.

"We're so excited to have a USAT National Cup Race right in our own backyard," said Jenny Weber, coach of the Z3 High Performance Youth Triathlon Team. Currently seven of the top 12 nationally-ranked youth triathletes are from the Midwest, including members of Z3.

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

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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.