USA Triathlon Announces USA Kids Tri Colorado Program, Youth Race Series

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — USA Triathlon today announced the launch of USA Kids Tri Colorado, the next program of the USA Kids Tri initiative, a financial commitment to supporting grassroots programming to grow youth triathlon and multisport by introducing the sport and its lifelong health benefits to a wide range of kids in schools and communities in select markets across the United States. 

Supported by the USA Triathlon Foundation, USA Kids Tri is the next step in the organization’s continued efforts to work alongside local events, race directors, coaches and clubs across the country that are increasing triathlon and multisport opportunities and access for current and prospective youth athletes.  

All USA Kids Tri programs include free USA Triathlon Youth Annual Memberships for participating kids, educational resources, structured training time for kids to connect with youth-centric coaches and clubs or other practice opportunities and the chance to compete at local youth races. USA Kids Tri also focuses on the accessibility of the sport by offering scholarship opportunities for youth wanting to get involved in the sport of triathlon.

“USA Triathlon and the USA Triathlon Foundation is thrilled to bring USA Kids Tri to Colorado,” said USA Triathlon Growth Strategy Manager, Emma O’Brien. “As the home of USA Triathlon headquarters, the U.S. Elite Paratriathlon Resident Team and many U.S. Elite triathletes, Colorado has long been a hub for multisport excellence. Now with support from the USA Triathlon Foundation, the El Pomar Foundation and the wonderful multisport community, Colorado can also offer more opportunities for youth and junior athletes to get involved with triathlon. We encourage youth and junior athletes and their friends to try out multisport and ignite their spark for racing at these four USA Kids Tri programs this year."

“Having a triathlon program focused on Colorado’s youth, spearheaded by the USA Triathlon Foundation with the amazing generosity of the El Pomar Foundation, is truly a game changer. As lifelong supporters of triathlon and youth sports, both of us could not be more excited with the impact USA Kids Tri will have on the continued development of the sport and tomorrow's leaders,” said Paul Craig and Steph Popelar, longtime Colorado age group triathletes and donors to the USA Kids Tri Colorado initiative. “Triathlon is truly a pathway to build mental and physical strength, stamina and character no matter what your age. Being able to offer opportunities for youth to learn, practice and race triathlon in several Colorado communities is a game changer and the perfect doorway to build the future of the sport and possibly future Olympians.”

“El Pomar’s Bill & Kathy Hybl Fund is proud to support Olympic, Paralympic, and youth sport initiatives in Colorado to instill ideals such as excellence, fair play, determination and courage,” said El Pomar’s President & CEO, Kyle H. Hybl. “We look forward to seeing how the USA Kids Tri program will build and provide access to programming that promotes and fosters these values, as well as healthy, active lifestyles, among young people in our state.”

The four USA Kids Tri Colorado programs include:

• Meadows Park Community Center in Colorado Springs - During this five-week Intro to Triathlon Summer Camp, athletes will learn how to swim, bike and run like a triathlete and complete a mini triathlon at the end of the session. The camp is hosted by a USA Triathlon Certified Coach and free for all athletes to participate. Athletes will be provided with a bike, helmet, running shoes and any other equipment needed to participate in the camp. The camp will start in June for athletes ages 7-12 and will kick off with a visit from several elite paratriathletes on USA Triathlon’s Paratriathlon Resident Team.

• Colorado Springs Youth and Junior Club - High Altitude Multisport Club, a thriving adult triathlon club in the Colorado Springs community, is launching a new youth and junior club for athletes in the Colorado Springs area. This club will include multiple training sessions a week with USA Triathlon Certified Coach, Markus Ernst. You can find more details on the camp once the club has officially launched this summer.

• Denver University Youth and Junior Camp - The Denver University women’s collegiate triathlon team will host a youth and junior training day and Splash and Dash during the first week in June on the university campus with head coach Barbara Perkins. USA Kids Tri will provide scholarship assistance and equipment for athletes in need to attend the camp.

• Fort Collins Endurance & Adventure Sports Team (FEAST) High School Team - USA Kids Tri will provide scholarships for athletes interested in joining FEAST, a new high school triathlon team in the Fort Collins and Northern Colorado area. Additionally, grant support from USA Kids Tri will also go toward hosting a summer youth triathlon clinic/camp for elementary and middle school aged kids in Northern Colorado.

Community members and multisport leaders who are interested in supporting the USA Kids Tri program can support the program by making a donation to the USA Triathlon Foundation.
Race directors, coaches, club leaders, athletes and brands who want to get involved with USA Kids Tri programming by starting, supporting or sponsoring youth programs and initiatives in their respective communities are encouraged to reach out to the USA Triathlon Foundation at youth@usatriathlon.org or go to usakidstri.org to learn more.