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Kids triathlon builds confidence, health

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When five-year-old Alistair Mellor attended his first triathlon club practice in early June, he couldn’t swim or bike. But July 30 he completed a triathlon alongside his older siblings.

Mellor was one of 170 children ages 5 to 13 that took part in the 14th annual Wilmington Family YMCA Kids Triathlon, held at the YMCA’s Market Street location. The swim, bike and run distances varied depending the child’s age, with the oldest children doing a 200 yard swim, 3-mile bike and 2-mile run and the youngest doing a 25-yard swim, half mile bike and 50-yard run.

Mellor was not the only child participating alongside siblings—about two-thirds of the kids had at least one family member in the race. Enthusiastic parents moved around the course’s perimeter, following the progress of their child. And for parents with multiple children racing, that involved plenty of movement.

“We got a workout today,” said Alistair’s mother, Delly Mellor. “We feel like we ran a triathlon.”

Alistair’s father, Charles Mellor, even ran alongside his son for part of the bike leg and helped him change equipment and clothing in the transition area. Alistair’s older siblings weren’t allowed help in the transition area, though, because the race is meant to teach confidence and independence in addition to healthy habits.

Nine-year-old Gabriel Mellor and seven-year-old Zoe Mellor were competing in the triathlon for the second time. Alistair watched them from the sidelines last year, and he couldn’t wait to do it himself, his mother said.

But he wasn’t a strong swimmer or biker, so his parents put him in the YMCA’s kids’ triathlon club with his brother and sister. His first practice in June didn’t go smoothly—“he probably crashed his bike nine or 10 times,” his mother said.

“But he kept going,” she added. “He’s really determined.”

The Mellors enrolled their children in triathlon club to keep them healthy and active throughout summer. The club practices three evenings a week for eight weeks. The club also taught safety habits, Delly Mellor said.

In the past, when her children biked at home, they didn’t like to wear their helmets, she said, but since they’ve been doing tri-club they always wear their helmets.

“They’ve made a habit out of it,” she said.

Mellor also liked how tri club involved the entire family.

“They play a lot of games,” she said. “They just kept it entertaining.”

And working towards a goal and achieving it is rewarding for her children, she added.

“The best part was watching them go through the finish line,” she said. “To see them accomplish that, because it’s tough, and I’m really impressed they could do that.”

 

 

 

 

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