Grahamstown athletes at the Iron Kids’ event in Port Elizabeth. L-R Jessica Smailes, Nicholas Smailes, Erin Powers, Phillipa Huxtable and Emily Huxtable. Photo: Supplied
A number of children from Grahamstown entered, and completed, the Spur IronKids aquathon in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, as part of the Standard Bank Ironman South Africa event.
The Spur IRONKIDS is the largest aquathon in the world, with over 1000 children from across South Africa finishing the specially designed course at Hobie Beach under the same banner as the Standard Bank IRON MAN African Championship triathletes who competed on 2 April 2017. The 1,000 children that entered the IronKids Biathle ranged from six to 13 years (the eligibility age), and each of the participants finished the race on the Iron Man red carpet.
Spur IRONKIDS which takes place annually, started at the McArthur’s Pool and Leisure Centre, where participants in the 6-8 year old category swam 60m and ran 1.2km; while the 9-13 year old category swam 100m and and ran 1.2km to the finish line.
Clare Rainey, Spur Brand Development Manager, said: “The race is not about winning, but about participation in a relaxed, family friendly environment. Each child who came to take part in Spur IRONKIDS today left not only with a bag of goodies, but also with fantastic memories of the event and our hope is that it encourages them to keep participating in similar events. Next year we hope to see more children from across South Africa join us, this is a once in a lifetime experience not too be missed”.
No official times were recorded as the focus was on participation, experiencing the sense of accomplishing a goal and having fun.
Every child received a Spur IRONKIDS swim cap, Spur IRONKIDS T-shirt, a great Spur and Pritt goodie bag, finisher medal and a certificate with their photo.
The Grahamstown contingent included Phillipa Huxtable (St Andrew’s Prep age 7), Nicholas Smailes (St Andrew’s Prep age 8), Amber Isaacs (VP age 8), Andrew Isaacs (Graeme age 9), Christopher Mclean (Graeme age 9), Emily Huxtable (DSG Junior age 10), Jessica Smailes (DSG Junior age 10), Erin Powers (DSG Junior age 12),
Seen at the Iron Kids in Port Elizabeth oevr the weekend are, from left, Erin Powers, Andrew and Amber Isaacs. Photo: Supplied
