Inaugural iCAN TRI Youth Triathlon a Major Success

The “iCAN TRI”, held July 22 at Clovis North Education Center proved a tremendous success for it’s first “TRI”.  Nearly 150 youth, ages 6-17 participated in the USA Triathlon sanctioned event.  The race began early in the morning to avoid the predicted 105-degree temperatures.

The swim portion staged its competition in the Clovis Aquatics Swim Complex in one of two 50-meter long course pools. The bike and run courses of varying distances challenged each athlete in the 4 age divisions. The 8-10 mile bike course ran along Cooper, Friant and Willow Avenues. While the run course used Clovis North’s baseball practice field for the majority of the run.

A USAT sanctioned event means the race must adhere to USA Triathlon’s safety requirements. Safety plans, course maps, and event details must be submitted for review by experienced USA Triathlon staff. This ensures events are safe and fair competition environments.

Individual awards were presented to the top five 5 finishers in each one-year age group from 6 to 17 years of age.  

iCAN Junior Triathlon Club hosted the event, bringing it’s vibrant flavor to the race; evidenced not only by the bright green and blue club colors spread across the venue, but also by a spectator friendly course and a  “community village”/expo that included water slides, free food and cold water.

“My two sons are not extremely experienced triathletes, but the race staff and volunteers made the whole experience easy, safe and enjoyable.  The event ran smoothly, transition areas were well laid out, the large number of police and volunteers kept things safe, and the post-race expo area provided great food and fun for the kids,” said Chris Fiorentino.

The transition and finish line area were staged in the grass area between the baseball and softball practice areas, allowing spectators a virtual 360-degree view of the events.

“Sometimes spectating triathlons can be challenging.  As a parent you want to see as much of the event as possible and your children like to be seen. Being able to see the transition area, run course and finish line without going very far was a huge plus and unique to most other youth triathlon I’ve attended,” said communication director DeAnna Turner.  “Clovis North had a perfect setup for this. When your dealing with kids, the safety and logistics of race have a big impact on a parent’s decision to travel long distances for a youth triathlon.”

The event also brought a broad range of community businesses to the race with an expo that wrapped around the finish shoot.  Local cycling teams, triathlon clubs, swim instructors, medical doctors and nurses stepped up to lend a helping hand to an event that covers a large amount of territory.  Safety was the event’s main concern.  Both State of California, CHP and City of Fresno PD officers patrolled the bike course to ensure traffic closures and medical stations were set up around the course to provide assistance if it was needed.  Such groups as Fresno State Cycling Club and Sierra Pacific Orthopedic, (SPOC) Cycling Team volunteered to help on the bike course and lend encouragement to the participants.  All-in-all over 150 volunteers helped with the race.

Athletes traveled as far as Southern California and the Bay Area to participate with local triathletes.  The race attracted both first-time triathletes as well as USA Triathlon Southwest Regional athletes.

“Central California needs this caliber of a youth triathlon event in order to recognize and appreciate what is happening in youth multisport,” said race director, Todd Waldner.  “Next year we anticipate this race will qualify to be a USA Triathlon Southwest Regional Talent ID Race and possibly have an F1 (draft legal) racing component.  Our ideal venue and location make it a prime spot to bring together southern, coastal, and northern California’s new, developing and experienced youth triathletes." 

The iCAN Junior Triathlon Club, a community benefit organization, has been in existence since 2006.  The club puts great emphasis on a creating a fun, positive and safe environment where youth can learn the sport of triathlon as well as iCAN’s core life principals of confidence, patience and determination.

In 2011, USAT recognized iCAN Junior Triathlon Club as one of the top three youth clubs in the nation amongst 323 youth clubs spread across the country.

For more information on iCAN Junior Triathlon Club, please visit www.icantriclub.com

July 22, 2012 Race Results:

Age 6-8 Results

Age 9-12 Results

Age 13-15 Results

Age 16-17 Results

RACE DAY PHOTOS

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