My School Rocks! 2014-04 Arlene Goldstein | Page 14

Photo courtesy of Kathy Goody

TRIATHLONS BRING KIDS, EXCITEMENT OUTDOORS
o you like swimming? What about biking, running or just
having fun? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions,
then triathlons could be the sport for you.
A dictionary might define a triathlon as an athletic contest
including swimming, cycling and running, but Kathy Goody,
Director of the Triathlon Academy of the Carolinas at
Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics (HFFA), defines it as
“fun and exciting and a perfect sport to get kids outdoors.”
This is exactly what Goody had in mind in 2008 when she
helped begin the Kids’ Triathlon Series at HFFA, an event for
kids ages 4-14 who get a kick out of being active.
Sponsored by Hawthorne’s Pizza, the series will take place on
April 26, May 25, June 22 and July 27 and will show kids just
how exciting triathlon racing can be.
“When people think about a triathlon they often imagine it to
be an overwhelming feat,” says Dee Jetton, Executive Director
at HFFA. “But almost everyone can swim, [bike and run] a little.
That’s really all it takes to get started.”

14 – My School Rocks! | April 2014

On race day, racers are separated into five age groups. The
youngest are 4-6 years old and the oldest are 13-14 yea