Fort Collins Club in Fort Collins, Colo. will be holding its annual “Kids’ Triathlon” on August 26, 2012 to raise funds for the Cardiac Kids Chapter of the Children’s Hospital in Denver, Colo. Geared for kids 4-12 years of age, the triathlon places an emphasis on fun — the course will not be timed and all participants are expected to complete the entire course.
“It’s not a race,” said Todd Heenan, the owner and general manager of Fort Collins Club. “Every kid gets a medal. It’s just for the kids to have something fun to do. It’s a fun event.”
The Kids’ Triathlon is open to members and non-members, and costs $30 for the first child per family and $25 for each additional child. A portion of the proceeds raised from the event will go to the Cardiac Kids Chapter of the Children’s Hospital in Denver, Colo. Cardiac Kids is a specific Children’s Hospital department that works with children who have heart disorders. In addition, Cardiac Kids also provides support for families who have children with cardiac disorders.
Fort Collins Club began hosting the Kids’ Triathlon eight years ago, after an employee’s child faced cardiac issues. Since the first year, the triathlon’s reputation has grown. Entirely managed by Fort Collins Club, Heenan makes use of volunteers to put on the Kids’ Triathlon. “It is a fair amount of work, especially the week of the event and the day of the event,” he said. “All events like this require many volunteers.”
In addition to the Kids’ Triathlon, Fort Collins Club offers multiple fitness options and programs designed for kids, such as swim teams and a “Kids’ Club,” where children can play activity-based games such as the Wii. “It’s important for us to make the kids want to come here,” said Heenan. “We do a lot of activities with kids, trying to keep them active.”
The Kids’ Triathlon is part of that initiative, and an appealing aspect for members with children who wish to join a fitness club.
By Rachel Zabonick
