They swam, they pedaled, they ran to the finish.
The 12th annual Just Tri It triathlon this year was a kids-only event. It took place Saturday in Manhattan’s City Park.
Tracy Anderson, a local architect, is the creator of the event. He said Saturday was a perfect day for the event because the weather was not too hot.
Participants were ages 5 to 14, according to the website.
“The kids start off in the pool, then they dry off, get their bikes and travel around the park and then run around the park to wrap up the day.”
This year’s event saw a large turnout with around 270 kids participating.
Anderson said he started the event because of his love for the sport when he was younger and to highlight City Park and the pool when it was renovated.
“I was always participating in these when I was in my 20s,” he said. “I began doing this event 12 years ago with the goal of highlighting City Park and what was at the time the new pool.”
Twelve-year-old Drew Holdrup of Manhattan was the winner of this year’s event, finishing at 27 minutes and 5 seconds. Fifteen-year-old Henry Harbidge of Manhattan finished in second at 27 minutes and 17 seconds.
In their division, athletes swam 100 yards, biked 4.8 miles and ran 1 mile.
