Op-ED: Tri-a-Biathlon Challenge, Our Second Year to Change Lives

During the planning and eventual takeoff of the Coopersburg 5K Run, Jennifer Wescoe-Schaninger and Dr. Trish Colasurdo began to realize the need of “real” races strictly focusing on our kids in our community. We have all seen the waist lines of our youth getting bigger and the activity levels getting smaller.  It was with much research and planning that the idea of the Tri-a-Biathlon Challenge was born. To make the race complete the pair asked the members of Southern Lehigh Education Foundation to “adopt” the race. Then the fun began.

Planning took place immediately. The idea was to have a race focused on the kids, allowing them to experience the feeling of achievement that comes with challenging oneself and completing an event that may seem difficult. The results were huge! For the first year, the Tri-a-Biathlon Challenge had 63 participants and with the cooperation of Upper Saucon Township and Southern Lehigh School District the Challenge was a great success!

The race consists of a combination of bike and run races. The distances vary by grade. All grades ride 4 miles (starts at Southern Lehigh Intermediate School) and the run (transition at Middle School) is immediately after the bike race. The run distances are:

• Grades 3-6: 1.5 miles
• Grades 7-8: 2.35 miles
• Grades 9-12: 3.1 miles  (5K run)

This year’s race will take place on SATURDAY, OCT. 1, 2011.  It is open to all school districts, and volunteer opportunities are available. Check out the website www.triabiathlon.com for the registration form, information page and bike and run routes.

Also, watch for UpperSauconPatch.com next week for more information on Tri-a-Biathlon Challenge as well as valuable training tips for your young, aspiring athletes.