More than 600 children aged seven to13 years lined up at Chaplin Park on Saturday to swim, run and ride their way through the Noosa Superkidz Triathlon.
It was hectic in the park in the lead up to the event as kids and parents signed in, put on their race numbers, lined up their bikes in places they would remember and headed for the river for the first leg of the event.
Among them were first-time entrants, eight-year-old friends Georgi and Mackenzie, who were very excited to be in the Tri.
Georgi was following in the footsteps of her older sibling in being able to do the Tri. As an insulin dependent diabetic, exercise was an important part of maintaining her good health.
“It’s inspiring,“ her mother said.
Good friend and fellow St Andrew’s College student Mackenzie was equally excited to be at her first Tri.
It was the fourth Noosa Tri for Heath Bissett. Accustomed to sporting activities Heath needed no extra training prior to the Tri but cycling was his preferred part of the race.
Parents were just as excited as the kids to be part of the Tri.
Long-time Noosa Triathlon participant and Beijing 2008 Olympian Ky Hurst was one of them with his son Koa taking part for the first time.
“For the last eight years I’ve been wanting to make sure that my kid could come here and I could experience this because this weekend is not just about the individual races, it’s about the whole family as well and to be able to share it collectively as a group,” he said.
“We’re so blessed to be here in Queensland and to have an event like this. There’s almost 9000 competitors over the week of Noosa Tri and that’s beautiful to see.
“How wonderful for all the families to be able to come down here and experience this and, for the kids, what an amazing opportunity.”
Koa took part in Superkidz alongside friend Nixon Wallace, son of Olympic gold medallist Ken Wallace.
“There’s a lot of kids out here ready to race as hard as they can, and there’s a lot running around with big smiles on their faces as well and that’s all we ask for,” Wallace said.
“This is one of the best events that we can come to, watching the kids out there smiling, having a great time. We love handing out the medals, and being in transition, getting helmets on, getting singlets on, trying to find lost bikes, it’s one of the funnest parts.“
Former NRL player Ben Hannant came along with five of his children, Ava, Brax, Channing, Ella and Mia, all taking part.
“For me and my kids, it’s all about soaking in the whole weekend. If you don’t leave here having had a fantastic time and learning something along the way, I don’t think you’ve had a go,” he said.
