New Triathlon Brings Opportunity to Young Iowa Athletes

Young Athletes Rained out Saturday Have Another Opportunity to Tri July 10!

DES MOINES, IA (06/14/2010)(readMedia)-- 150 young athletes are already signed up to compete at the Flatland Kids Triathlon Festival on July 10 at Gray's Lake Park in Des Moines. The day-long event for ages 6 through 19 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.FlatlandKidsTrifest.com to register, find out more information or sign up to sponsor or volunteer with the event.

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

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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.