IRON KIDS

Youghal Ironman event just wasn’t a one day of racing but a whole weekend of events. The logistics

involved running such an event is as daunting enough but participating in one of the many races on

offer is more daunting. In between the registrations, buying the Ironman merchandise and all the

final checks on the equipment needed it was a busy time for everyone involved. The weekend

kicked off on the Friday evening with the Iron Kids events. The popular children’s event has been a

staple at the IRONMAN race weekends around the world. This was the first time IRONKIDS came to

Youghal. Iron Kids is all about participation and encouraging children towards a healthy and active

lifestyle. As the emphasis is on fun and participation, every child is a winner. Each participant

received an Iron Kids T-Shirt and a finisher’s medal. There was a wide range of age groups included

on the evening, with different race distances for each category. 4 – 6 year olds ran a distance of

500m, 7 – 11 year olds ran 1km and 12 -15 year olds had a 1.5km race. Although the Blackwater

Triathlon Club doesn’t currently have a junior section there were plenty of kids of club members

taking part. Lots of Blackwater Tri Club Mammies and Daddies were on the side-lines this time

watching instead of performing, high Fiving their kids when they ran past. The children who took

part on the evening showed us many of our future club members and Ironmen in the making. Our

club members Iron kids taking part in the 500m race were Adam Blaiklock’s 6 year old twins, Aria &

Dylan, Adrian Collins’s 6 year-old son Dan, Jonathan Kenneally’s son George, also 6, Shane and

Sinead Collin’s 5 year old Fiachra, and Mike Lyons’s son 5 year old Teddy. They all completed the

500m course with aplomb, racing down the finishing chute like seasoned professionals. In the 1km

event Aiden and Sinead Sheridan’s 10 year old son Dean was joined by Tina Kiely’s twins Beth-Ann

and Faye, who are 7 and another one of the Shane Collins clan, Eoin, who is 8. To round off the

evening’s event the 12-15 year olds ran a 1.5km race. The Sheridans were once again represented by

their 12 year old daughter Jane. Jane was joined by Stephen Dalton’s son Jack, who is also 12 and the

third of Shane and Sinead’s children, 11 year old Niamh Collins. It was a huge thrill for all of the

children, and their parents, as each of them got to take their turn and run down the red carpet, to be

declared YOU ARE AN IRONMAN. There wasn’t a dry eye in Youghal on Friday evening.

Congratulations to all the amazing children who took part in the event.