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Everyone a winner with Get Fit TRYathlon

7/27/2016

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Joanna Rhodes knows the benefit regular physical activity: A busy mother, she makes time for it because it has improved her health, reduced her stress, and improved her well-being. Integrating it into an event to raise much-needed funds for a cause she's passionate about seemed only logical.

The event: The Get Fit TRYathlon, which kicks off Saturday in Pittsburg and continues on Aug. 6.

​A mentor for Big Brothers-Big Sisters for more than 10 years, Rhodes' match ended in May just shy of 11 years because her “little,” Cheriah, turned 18 and graduated from high school.

As a board member, she also was well aware of the cost of matching adult volunteers with “littles” who need a mentors; each match requires $1,000.

“But those matches also are invaluable,” Rhodes said. “More than 80 percent of the kids we serve live at or below the poverty level, and 80 percent of them come from single parent households. More than 30 percent of our children currently have or have had at least one incarcerated parent.”

The desire?

“To match them with someone who can make a significant positive impact in their lives, and show them who they are capable of becoming,” Rhodes said.

Rhodes, who competes in area race events herself, saw the Get Fit TRYathlon as a unique way to bring awareness to the agency and to raise funds. But it also was a way to encourage youth and amateur athletes to get out and get active, perhaps at something they've never done before.

“I wanted to encourage individuals to be active and try something new,” she said. “You don’t have to be the fastest or most skilled. It’s just about completing something that is outside your comfort zone and supporting a great organization.”

“The TRYathlon portion of this event is so encouraging to see someone overcome a fear or improve from the year before,” she said. “There are some kids who have done this event every year and now are no longer using a lifejacket or training wheels.”

She has seen adults doggy-paddle during the swim portion.  

“I have also had one adult participant struggle during the bike portion and the next year she was excited because she was able to ride her bike the whole time and not get off to walk,” she said. “That’s what gets me excited when someone else is proud of themselves. It’s not about what you can’t do, but that you tried and succeeded.”

The 5K/10K course will start and end at Gorilla Village on the campus of Pittsburg State University on July 30. The Get Fit TRYathlon will be held at the Pittsburg Aquatic Center on Aug. 6.

The 5K/10K race is open to all ages. Start time is 7:15 a.m. July 30. The free youth TRYathlon clinic is also July 30 from 8:30-11 a.m. at the Aquatic Center. Experienced volunteers will cover the basics of safe swimming, biking, running and transitioning, and safety checks on bikes and helmets. You can register on site.

Kids ages 5-14 can compete in the youth TRYathlon on Aug. 6 with distances varying by age.  The Super Sprint Team Relay TRYathlon will feature teams of three any gender over the age of 10. Each individual will swim four laps, bike four miles, and run one mile. Team members can be any gender and must be at least 10 years old. 
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All participants receive T-shirts and finishers medals. The top finishers in age categories get trophies. Everyone is welcome to the post-race celebration to enjoy food and festivities.
Register online at http://getfittryathlon.weebly.com or call 620-704-1396 for more information. All proceeds benefit Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters serving Crawford County.
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665 S HWy 69  -  Pittsburg, KS 66762​bstroud@crawfordcohd.org
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Created for
​live Well
​crawford county
​by Andra Stefanoni
  • Welcome
  • About Us
  • Task Forces
    • Addiction Prevention
    • Age Well
    • Breathe Well
    • Eat Well >
      • Growing Growers
    • Live Active
  • Media
  • Resources
    • About Crawford County
    • Bike 4 Discounts
    • Master Plans
    • In the News
  • Spotlight
  • Our Stories
  • Grants
    • Pathways Grant >
      • Community Policy
      • Community Well-Being
      • Food Retail
      • Health Care
      • Restaurants
      • Schools
      • Worksites
    • Kansas Beats the Virus
    • Health Equity Grant
    • Pedal Power