IRONKIDS Launches in Scotland

The organisers of IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh launched IRONKIDS Scotland, a series of three fun and family-focused running events for young people aged 3 to 14.

Article Source: IRONMAN UK
Last Updated: 21 March 2018 11:26

The organisers of IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh, Scotland’s biggest triathlon staged in the capital and outlying regions on Sunday 1 July 2018, today (21-03-18) launched IRONKIDS Scotland, a series of three fun and family-focused running events for young people aged 3 to 14. The events form an exciting addition to the IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh race weekend on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 June 2018 and are a key part of Scotland’s Year of Young People 2018 celebrations.

IRONKIDS Scotland – Midlothian at Dalkeith Country Park, Dalkeith [from 16:00] on Friday 29 June; and IRONKIDS Scotland - East Lothian at Preston Links, Prestonpans [from 11:00] and IRONKIDS Scotland – Edinburgh at Holyrood Park, Edinburgh [from 15:00] on Saturday 30 June are the venues for the fun-packed mass participation running events with routes of between 50 metres and 2 kilometres.

IRONKIDS Scotland is the newest event in the hugely popular IRONKIDS global series of children’s events, staged as part of the IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon event weekends, with 50,000 young people across the world taking part every year. However, in a first for IRONKIDS, IRONKIDS Scotland will see not one but three separate children’s running events staged at three separate venues over the IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh event weekend. Registration for IRONKIDS Scotland is now open with the choice to sign up for Midlothian, East Lothian or Edinburgh events on the IRONKIDS Scotland website here: http://eu.ironman.com/triathlon/events/emea/ironman-70.3/edinburgh/ironkids.aspx#axzz5AC25F0FZ

IRONKIDS events have a firm focus on participation and fun, incorporating a family element into the event weekend whilst at the same time inspiring children to lead a healthy and active lifestyle. IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh, organisers of IRONKIDS Scotland, are especially keen to make the events as accessible and inclusive as possible to young people aged 3 to 14 of all abilities living in the Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian communities. Registration is £4.00 per person with the aim of encouraging at least 1000 young people to sign up at each venue and enjoy being part of the IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh race weekend. Each child who takes part will receive an IRONKIDS T-shirt to race in and an IRONKIDS medal once they cross the finish line under the IRONMAN 70.3 finish arch.

Young people between the ages of 8 and 26 will be provided with a unique opportunity to work alongside the event team in the organisation and delivery of the three children’s events, where they can shine on a local and world stage.

Co-design is at the heart of the Year of Young People 2018 and organisers of IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh and IRONKIDS Scotland are looking to recruit teams of local volunteers to take the lead in planning each IRONKIDS Scotland event. In order to make the three events the best IRONKIDS events of the global series in 2018 there are also opportunities to work with the IRONMAN event team in voluntary delivery roles on the day including event marshalling, customer relations and technical production. For more information on volunteering for IRONKIDS Scotland - Midlothian, East Lothian and Edinburgh - as part of The Year of Young People and to register interest in getting involved visit the volunteer section on the IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh website.

The iconic IRONMAN Series of events, the world’s most challenging endurance race series, is the largest participation sports platform in the world. Beginning in 1978 as a single race, IRONMAN has grown to become a global sensation with more than 200 events across 50 countries. In 2017 IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh, a middle distance triathlon, was the first IRONMAN-branded event to be staged in Scotland. 1625 athletes (80% men and 20% women) from 31 countries registered to take part and the winner crossed the finish line in 3 hours 55 minutes and 21 seconds.

Paul McGreal, Race Director for IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh, said: "We’re delighted to be able to bring IRONKIDS to Scotland alongside the IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh triathlon in 2018. It has been an ambition for some time, and the incredible support of Year of Young People and our partners in the local authorities has made it possible. We’re looking forward to seeing up to 3000 young people have fun, be active, and demonstrate their skills and abilities. We’re particularly excited that young people themselves will be assisting us directly with the design and delivery of the events."

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland's Director of Events, said: “Scotland is celebrating the Year of Young People in 2018 where the spotlight is shining on young people’s talents and contributions, giving them the opportunity to show the world what they are made of. Working with the events and festivals industry in Scotland, 2018 provides us with a special opportunity to showcase both our rich annual events programme and a host of brand new events which further reinforce Scotland’s position as the perfect stage for events.

“We are delighted to be supporting IRONKIDS Scotland make their first visit north of the border through dedicated Year of Young People funding. The event is a wonderful addition to the already announced IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh, providing young people with an opportunity to participate in a unique, fun experience within their local community. I’m sure it will create a wonderful family atmosphere across each of the three locations.”

Catriona Morrison, Project Coordinator for IRONKIDS Scotland, said: “IRONKIDS Scotland will truly be a unique event. Competitors will experience a race course that uses all the infrastructure of the IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh event in addition to experiencing the energy and atmosphere created by a festival of activations that will be organised by local young people.

Joan Tranent, Head of Children’s Services at Midlothian Council, said: “We’re excited to be supporting the IRONKIDS event at Dalkeith Country Park this summer. The event is not only a great opportunity for local young people to have fun and be active on the day, it also offers a unique chance to be directly involved in the planning and delivery of a big event.”

East Lothian Council Provost John McMillan said: “Given the fun our Prestonpans Primary School pupils had in launching the IRONKIDS event, I’m sure all the young people who take part in June will have an unforgettable time. Events like IRONKIDS and IRONMAN 70.3 really help to showcase East Lothian’s natural beauty and its fantastic value as a venue for all to enjoy the great outdoors and to reap the health benefits of an active lifestyle. We’re delighted to be hosting an IRONKIDS event.”

Councillor Donald Wilson, Edinburgh’s Culture and Communities Convener, said: “As a keen marathon runner I know first-hand the benefits physical activity has on both your body and overall wellbeing. I think this family event is a great idea for encouraging young people to lead a healthy and active lifestyle, and have great fun while they’re at it. I wish the organisers all the best and would urge as many young people to sign up for this fantastic event as possible – with races from 50 metres to 2km, it really does offer something for runners of all abilities.”

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