Carrollton Parks & Rec KIDS TRYathlon

The Kids TRYathlon is a community-centered youth athletic event that promotes physical fitness, confidence building and family engagement. Using the Lakeshore Natatorium, track and field facilities and bike paths, the TRYathlon is a multi-age, multi-skill experience for young people, ages 6-12. It consists of three components: swimming, biking and running. Participants are divided into three age groups to ensure appropriate challenge levels and safety. The TRYathlon will follow a sequential structure: swim, bike, run, finish. 

Training wheels allowed for biking. Please bring at least 1 towel for transition area. Participants will place their bike along with snacks and drink in Transition ZONE 1 behind the Natatorium. Transition ZONE 2 will be just before the track. Parent involvement is encouraged during Transition zones. 

 
Age Groups 
Group A: Ages 6 - 8 
Group B: Ages 9 - 10 
Group C: Ages 11- 12 

Facilities Utilized:
Aquatics: 25 yards, 7 - lane pool 
Outdoor Spaces: Track and field area 
Bike Path: The GreenBelt 

Swim Distances 
Ages 6 – 8: 50 yards (2 lap) 
Ages 9 – 10: 100 yards (4 laps) 
Ages 11 – 12: 200 yards (8 laps) 

Bike Distances (parent participation encouraged for bike portion) 
Ages 6 – 8: 0.5 mile 
Ages 9 – 10:  1 mile
Ages 11 – 12: 2 mile 

Run Distances 
(Track is 400 meters; 4 laps = 1 mile) 
Ages 6 – 8: 400 meters (1 lap) 
Ages 9 – 10: 800 meters (2 laps) 
Ages 11 – 12: 1 mile (4 laps) 
 
Race Flow and Timing Structure 
Timing Policy 
Ages 6–8: Completion-based (not timed). Focus is on safe completion and positive experience. Encourage parent participation for safety during the biking portion 

Ages 9–10 & 11–12: Timed. Total time includes Swim + T1 + Bike + T2 + Run. 

Race Flow 
One age group on course at a time. 
Athletes move continuously from Swim → Transition 1 → Bike → Transition 2 → Run.   
Bike course opens only after all swimmers from that age group have exited the pool and course marshals are in position. 

Transitions 
Ages 6–8: Guided transitions with parents/SoleRoots; relaxed, safety-first pacing. 

Ages 9–12: Standard triathlon transitions (T1 and T2 included in overall time). 
  
TRYathlon Timeline:
 
7:00 AM – Participant check-in opens 
Bike and helmet inspection 
Participants set up their bike, and items on a towel near T1 zone 
Bib distribution 
7:45 AM – Mandatory safety briefing (all participants and parents) 
  
Event Execution 

8:00 AM – Ages 6–8 START (swim)
Guided swim heats 
Volunteers assist through transitions (parent participation is encouraged) 


8:15 AM – Ages 9–10 START (swim)
 


8:30 AM – Ages 11–12 START (Swim)

   

Group A – Ages 6-8 (approximate times)
8:00 AM: Swim 
8:30 AM: Bike 
9:00 AM: Run 

Group B – Ages 9-10 
8:15 AM: Swim 
8:45 AM: Bike 
9:15 AM: Run 

Group C– Ages 11-12 
8:30 AM: Swim 
9:00 AM: Bike 
9:30 AM: Run