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Youth served in Blaine triathlon

Youngsters ages 7 to 14 ran, swam and cycled in the event, which complements the city's May triathlon for adults.

By Shannon Prather

July 29, 2014 at 6:12PM

Above: Hale Gulan, 7, hugged his grandmother, Millie Halden, after he completed a kids’ triathlon on Saturday morning at Lakeside Commons Park in Blaine. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Cheered on by parents, siblings and friends, nearly 100 children swam, cycled and sprinted in Blaine's first-ever kids' triathlon on Saturday.

The city added the kids' event to complement its adult triathlon held each May.

Competitors ages 7 to 14 took part, with some parents joining in the swimming portion of the event with their young athletes.

The triathlon included a 165-yard swim at Lakeside Commons Park, a 2.3-mile bike ride and a one-mile run.

Saturday's event was not officially timed, in order to keep the race registration affordable, but parents were encouraged to time their children, said Nate Monahan, Blaine Parks and Recreation program supervisor.

Safety was top priority, with the swim occurring between the buoys at Lakeside Commons beach. Lifeguards and the Fire Department's rescue boat were present.

Katherine Mullen,10, hopped onto her bike as part of the triathlon. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Macie McNiff, 10, began the one-mile run. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

about the writer

Shannon Prather

Reporter

Shannon Prather covers Ramsey County for the Star Tribune. Previously, she covered philanthropy and nonprofits. Prather has two decades of experience reporting for newspapers in Minnesota, California, Idaho, Wisconsin and North Dakota. She has covered a variety of topics including the legal system, law enforcement, education, municipal government and slice-of-life community news.