Youth triathlon comes to Truxtun

And if that's not enough, the Annapolis Recreation and Parks Department is offering even more free fun - tennis, skateboarding, kickball, soccer, kayaking, fly fishing and even disc dogs.

The inaugural Youth Tri-iT Festival kicks off at 11 a.m. tomorrow all over Truxtun Park, leading into the city's first youth triathlon.

The weekend-long festival aims to create awareness of the needs of Truxtun Park, the environment and childhood obesity, said LeeAnn Plumer, director of parks and recreation. The department is teaming up with Chesapeake Family magazine for the festival.

"Our goal is to get families to get out and get into the park," she said.

Nearly 120 youths 17 and under are expected to descend upon the park Sunday morning to bike, swim and run, Mrs. Plumer said. Registration for the event wrapped up earlier this month, and she said she hopes the city can continue it each year.

"We are excited about this because for most of these kids, it's their first multi-sport event," she said. "So we want it to be a positive experience."

Each participant in the race will receive a T-shirt and a medal for completing it, and trophies will be awarded for the various age and gender categories.

First-timers Matthew Hays, 12, and Emily Hays, 9, are looking forward to following in their parents' footsteps by competing in the multi-sport event. Their mom, Claudia, has completed two triathlons and said training has been a family affair.

Matthew and Emily, and everyone else 12 or younger, will compete in the junior division, which includes a 100-meter swim, a 5-mile bike ride and a 1-mile run. The 13-to-17-year-olds participating in the senior division will complete a 300-meter swim, an 8-mile bike ride and a 2-mile run.

"It's extremely important that they stay active," Mrs. Hays said. "It's something that both me and my husband try to encourage - for them to get out and run around. Not too much TV or too much computer."

To get ready for the event, Mrs. Hays said, her children have been biking and running and even joined the swim team.

Mrs. Plumer said volunteers are still needed to help with the triathlon, to act as course monitors and timers from about 6:30 to 11 a.m. Sunday at Truxtun Park.

For more information or to volunteer, call the department at (410) 263-7958.