Our motto for the 2017 Tri-Warriors Youth Triathlon is, “When the going gets tough, the tough TRI harder.”
We chose this saying for our seventh annual event because not only does it pertain to the sport of triathlon, but even though we are 10 months out from Hurricane Matthew, our community is still dealing with tough times and we need to push forward.
A triathlon is an individual sport. From the moment the race starts, until you cross the finish line, you are on your own — sort of. Although you do all the work, there are always plenty of people around you looking after you, supporting you, and encouraging you. Exactly what Lumberton has been doing for its family, friends and neighbors since Oct. 8 of last year.
Not only do we pride ourselves on triathlon itself, which is by far considered one of the best in the state, but we are also proud of the number of volunteers we get each year and the money we have raised and given back to the community.
We have been known to have more volunteers than kids participating in the race, and we do that to ensure that the kids feel safe and supported.
Then each year, after the bills have been paid, we donate every dollar earned back into the community to help support those groups that also share the same mission of helping children. We are proud to say that for the past six years we have invested almost $70,000 back into the community through the work of at least two dozen organizations.
However this year, with Matthew fresh in our minds, we are working with school administrators and county commissioners to plan programs, buy equipment, and create services to help those elementary-aged children in West Lumberton and South Lumberton who still are dealing with much more than kids should have to.
We want our kids to be kids. We want them to swim, bike and run and have a good time. Which is why our triathlon is such a good fit. But deciding to do these three activities one after another, in a somewhat “competitive atmosphere,” takes some serious consideration and preparation. And it will be up to the adults in these children’s lives to make sure they give enough respect to the sport so that they can be ready, be safe and have fun.
So if you are a parent, grandparent, relative or friend of a child between the ages of 6 and 15, I hope that you will mention this event to them to see if they would be interested. If they are, over the next few weeks I plan on giving you all of the information they will need to not only enjoy what may be their first-ever triathlon, but also do well.
In my next article I will be discussing everything that happens the night before the race and the morning of the race, leading up to and including the swim portion. Then in my last article I will wrap up this series talking about the bike and run portions of the race and pointers to get you from start to finish.
Until my next column, please visit the website www.triwarriors.com to find all the information you need to get started. And as always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 910-827-2439 or [email protected].
