Barbados – The fourth BFIT Kids Series race took place Sunday morning this past weekend. The event takes place at the Barbados Aquatic Centre and Sir Garfield Sobers Sports Complex and was one of 10 kid’s series races that take place over the course of the year. At the completion of the tenth race, awards are given out based on the accumulation of points throughout the year. The next event is scheduled for May 21.
The races are open to boys and girls in age groups that range from under seven, seven to eight, nine to ten, 11-12, 13-14 and 15-17. The races usually run separately by age group, but may be combined depending on the turnout.
The under seven course comprises of one 25m length swim, a paved 0.75km bike loop around the Aquatic Centre and tennis complex and a half lap run around just the Aquatic Centre. The seven to eight course was two laps of swimming, two laps of riding and the half lap run. The nine to ten course was four laps of swimming four laps of riding and one lap of running. 11-12 was six laps swimming, seven laps riding and one and a half lap run. 13-14 went up to eight laps swimming, ten laps riding and two and a half lap run and the 15-17 category swimming a 400m, riding 9.75k and running a 3k.
Last weekend winners included under seven girl’s winner Ali Banfield (9:14), and boy’s winner Luka Klufas (15:13). Seven to eight girl’s winner was Marisa Klufas (22:58). In a tightly contested boys nine to ten race Cain Edwards (13:39) narrowly defeated Matthieu Clarke (13:44), while Olivia Treasure (18:20) took the girls. For the 11-12 boys it was Cian Hickey (20:58) and in the 15-17 age group, it was Edward Van Anrooy (45:42) with the boys title and Hannah Lashley (53:34) with the girls.
Olympic triathlete Jason Wilson and teammate and fellow elite triathlete Matthew Wright are both products of the BFIT Kids Series. BFIT president, Darren Treasure talks about the event and its importance. “These races provide the fundamental skills required to compete in Triathlon in a safe and fun environment. Young triathletes are encouraged to focus on bettering their times over the course of the season as opposed to worrying about placement.”
BFIT is the governing federation for triathlon and triathletes in Barbados. BFIT sanctions and organizes multi-sport events which include Triathlon, Duathlon and Aquathlon. For more information on future events and the sport of triathlon contact triathlonbarbados@gmail.com.
