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captions, clockwise from top left:
Faith, Amelia and Mary Kate, CITs
The Hale Y team with helpers
Preparing to swim
Post-race smiles
CIT Faith with Hale team after she applied their ankle clips
PUTNAM — The weather was beautiful Aug. 11 as 16 athletes from Hale YMCA competed in the youth triathlon at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, R.I.
The triathlon was the culmination of a free, six-week, half-day triathlon training camp. Race 4 Chase began on July 1 and was held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day at the Hale YMCA. (Participants did not need to be members of the YMCA, and those without a bicycle were provided with one – along with a helmet.)
The triathlon camp was named for Chase Michael Anthony Kowalski – who passed away in the Newtown tragedy. Chase enjoyed participating in triathlons. So, his family started a foundation in his name, which has resulted in hundreds of kids being introduced to the sport of triathlon, over the past eleven years.
At the Newport Race 4 Chase Triathlon, more than 150 athletes ages 6-12 from YMCAs across southeastern New England gathered for the race. Athletes from Hale YMCA awoke at 5 a.m. and their parents and caregivers ensured that they arrived in Newport at 7.
The triathlon began with opening ceremonies, and then the youngest athletes, age 6 & 7, hit the water for their swim. After their swim, they ran up the beach to the bike transition area where they were met by several Counselors-In-Training (CITs), and former Hale YMCA Race 4 Chase triathletes, Mary Kate, Faith, and Amelia who helped the athletes: dry off their feet; get their socks over still somewhat wet feet; get their shoes on; put on their shirt; and, of course, secure their helmet. The CITs job was much easier as the older athletes began finishing their swims and coming to the transition area. One of the CITs asked a 10-year-old, Maverick if he needed help drying his feet. In what seemed like one motion, he threw on his sneakers and secured his helmet. As he pedaled away, Maverick called back, “no time. I’ll dry them after the run.”
After the swim, the athletes completed a rather hilly 3k bike ride to Fort Adams. Once at the fort, the athletes then ran into the 200-year-old fort (which still has original cannons on display - very cool). Following their 1.5k run, all athletes enjoyed several slices of watermelon, provided by Hale YMCA Aquatics Director, Tarin McKinnon. As a side note, parents and caregivers reported that they had no trouble getting their kids to bed that night.
Submitted by Brian Reilly, Hale YMCA coach
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