Natalie Maffett ('09) and Callie Maffett ('18) celebrate with Chloe Simms as she crosses the finish line.

School to host Tri for the Kids in May

Adults and children ages 7-14 are invited to register for Darlington School’s Tri for the Kids Weekend May 1 and 2, 2010. An Olympic Distance Race for adults will take place Saturday, May 1, at 8 a.m. in downtown Rome, and the Tri for the Kids youth triathlon will take place Sunday, May 2, at 2:30 p.m. at Darlington. All proceeds from both races will benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Northwest Georgia’s South Rome location.

"Last year’s Tri for the Kids was an infectious, incredible self-esteem building day,” said event coordinator Beth Smith (’87), who teaches pre-K at Darlington. “We wanted to empower kids to think outside the box, get off the couch, go outside and do something they never thought could be possible. The turnout was overwhelming in terms of participants and volunteers, and we were also able to raise over $14,000 for the Boys & Girls Club.”

The Olympic Distance Race will include a 1-mile swim in the Etowah River, a 24-mile bike ride around scenic Rome and a 6.25-mile run in downtown Rome. Registration is $65 before April 1 and $75 after the April deadline.

The Tri for the Kids triathlon route will again be limited to Darlington’s Upper School campus and the area of Cave Spring Road between the school and the Boys & Girls Club. Children ages 7-9 will complete a 50-yard swim in the school’s Huffman Center swimming pool, a 2.4-mile bike ride on Cave Spring Road and a .5-mile run on the campus. Participants ages 10-14 will complete a 100-yard swim, 4.8-mile bike ride and 1-mile run. Physically challenged participants will race the 7-9-year-olds’ course. Registration is $40 for non-USAT members and $35 for USAT members. A limited number of scholarships will be available.

“We look forward to a great weekend of racing for the whole family and are excited about raising more money for the Boys & Girls Club,” Smith said. “They truly deserve every penny we can give them!”

Smith urges members of the community to help spread the word about Tri for the Kids. “I want us to share the details of this event with as many children as we can in and around Rome,” she said. “Last year, we had participants from around the state, and it was great! Whether they come to participate or just to watch, I want them to be there.”

Registration for both races will open Jan. 1, 2010, at www.imathlete.com. Registration forms can also be downloaded by following the links below:

• Tri for the Kids Youth Triathlon, May 2
• Tri for the Kids Adult Triathlon, Individual, May 1
• Tri for the Kids Adult Triathlon, Team, May 1
• Tri for the Kids Training Schedules

For more information on Tri for the Kids, please contact Beth Smith at bsmith@darlingtonschool.org or Sarah Husser at sarahrhusser@gmail.com. Click here to see photos from last year’s event.