HILL AIR FORCE BASE – Eight members of Hill’s Youth Triathlon Club and three Youth Center staff members completed this year’s South Davis Labor Day Triathlon, held at the South Davis Recreation Center in Bountiful.
The idea for this newly formed running club came from Youth Center personnel who were looking for a fun way to enhance youth social connections and encourage healthy lifestyle habits.
“I brought the idea up to the kids and the sparkle in their eyes and their enthusiasm for the idea helped make up my mind to go forward with the triathlon club,” said Kenny Fife, Hill AFB Youth Sports coordinator.
Youth participants were Bethany Powell, Cora Glindmeyer, Ellie Glindmeyer, Madison Wood, Marlee Volkmar, Melaina Adams, Melina Crawford and Quinlan Fife. Youth Center staff members included Sophia Braner, Drew Ulsh and Kenny Fife.
Some younger members completed the novice distance which included a 150-yard swim, 2.4-mile bike ride and 1.5-mile run. The rest completed the sprint distance of a 350-yard swim, 12-mile bike ride and 3.35-mile run.
The youth trained three days a week throughout the summer to get ready for the event.
Fife said training for and competing in a triathlon fostered physical fitness, discipline and resilience.
“Through the preparation and teamwork involved in their training, the triathlon club participants set and achieved personal goals and built confidence in themselves,” he said.
Fife said participating in events like the triathlon strengthens bonds an demonstrates the value of teamwork, but he said it wasn’t always easy.
“Some of the kids were worried about completing the triathlon during training sessions,” he said. “Yet as they struggled during the race with the biking and running, their courage and resilience helped them finish the race. It was great to see a smile on their faces after the race as they told each other their stories of the journey they just completed.”
There are plans to participate in next year’s Labor Day triathlon and if they can find a swimming facility that will work, the club wants to train for and participate in a spring triathlon as well.
Fife said parents and staff are immensely proud of the youth who trained for and completed their first triathlon, celebrating their dedication, perseverance and achievement.
“Their success is a testament to their hard work and the unwavering support of those around them,” he said.
For more information about youth sports and activities at Hill AFB, call the Youth Center at 801-777-2419.