Kids' Duathlon is back July 28 with pizza and pool time in Northbrook
Get ready, set, go!
The Northbrook Park District's 10th annual Kids' Duathlon on July 28 will offer kids ages 5 to 14 the unique opportunity to race at the only velodrome in Illinois.
The biking and running race starts at 6 p.m. at the Ed Rudolph Velodrome, 1479 Maple Avenue, followed by pizza and pool time until 9 p.m. at Meadowhill Aquatic Center, 1501 Maple Avenue.
"It will be a great experience for kids of all age levels," Recreation Supervisor Cameron Edelman said. "There is no other velodrome in Illinois, so to participate in a race there, with their family cheering them on. It's definitely not something you can just do anywhere."
Participants will receive an event T-shirt and will enjoy pizza and snacks after the race, along with free entry into Meadowhill Aquatic Center, which will be open exclusively to participants and their families from 8 to 9 p.m.
The Kids' Duathlon draws a mix of participants with various levels of ability and experience, including novices, said Paul Swinand, volunteer coach for the park district's youth cycling.
"If kids are doing any kind of biking - like biking to church or to the store - they will be fine," he said.
Participants ages 5 to 7 will bike one lap around the track and will run a quarter mile around Meadowhill Park. Participants ages 8 to 10 will bike two laps and run a half mile. Participants ages 11 to 14 will bike two laps and run a mile.
The goal of the event is to encourage kids to be active and introduce them to new sports, Swinand said. "A lot of people don't even know that triathlon or biathlon or biking exists. But whatever sport kids are into, they get a lot of energy and health out of it."
Participants need to bring a bicycle (no training wheels), a helmet and tennis shoes. Parents should make sure their kids' bike helmets fit properly. Biking clothes are not necessary; athletic clothes are fine but shouldn't be too loose, lest they get caught in the bike wheels.
Registration is $25 per participant. Register by July 25 and receive $5 off. Regular registration ends at 5 p.m. July 27.
For more information, call 847- 291-2993 or visit nbparks.org/events/kids-duathlon. You can also email Recreation Supervisor Cameron Edelman at cedelman@nbparks.org.