ALAMOSA – Introducing young children to healthy competition, the Splashland Hot Springs “Kids Only” Triathlon was held on Aug. 17. The event included three divisions, and 72 children finished the competition on a beautiful summer morning.

Two-year-old Conlee Polkowske was the youngest competitor, with eight others under the age of four. There were 24 five-to-six-year-olds, 14 seven-to-eight-year-olds, 17 nine-to-ten-years-old, and seven 11-to12-year old, and one 13-year-old. The triathletes started with a bike course, continued with a swim and finished with a run. Each group completed age-appropriate distances.

The overall winners received trophies and awards were given to the top three boys and girls in each age group. Everyone who competed and finished received a commemorative t-shirt. New course records were set and placed on the Splashland leader board. Door prizes were also presented from community sponsors.

Overall results include:

6 Years and Under Division: Sidney Sowards finished with a time of 04.43, Lincoln Sheffield 04:46, Isaac Avila 04:48, Jovan Martinez 04:50, Millicent Wilner 04:51, Kayleb Coleman 04:56, Adelyn Watkins 05:08, Trevin Martin 05:11, Mark Bush 05:15, Kinley Wubber 05:24, Charli Walker 05:33, Ethan Wilkenson,05:36, Kaden Yoder 05:38, Emmett Bush 05:43, Ella Masias 5:45, Kasyn Polkowske 06:24, Nellie George 06:31, Scarlett Henry 06:32, Heide Bush 06:36, Morgyn Fobert 06:57, Eli Masias 07:02, Riley Norton 07:11, Kynlee Fobert  07:35, Jace Norton 07:37, Axel Averette 07:37, Teagan Hunzeker 08:21, Jack Allen 08:26,Conlee Polkowske 08:46, Jade Bush 08:54, Everett George 08:56, Bennett Hamilton 09:39, and Jesse Peacock with 12:18.

7-10 Year Old Division: Autumn Bush finished with a time of 05:32, Levi Rollins 05:42, Morgan Howell 05:44, Robert Bush 05:49, Timothy Yoder 05:51, Brecklyn Fobert 05:52, Avery Duran 05:58, Sylvia Daugherty 05:58, Finnegan Wermes 06:00, Hunter Bush 06:11, Camryn Zook 06:12, Edita Wilner 06:12, Taylor Coleman 06:24, Greyson Hunzeker 06:24, Benicio Duran 06:30, Makayla Bush 06:32, Mariah Sheffield 06:37, Kevin Sheffield 06:37, Landon Artaechevarria 06:37, Huntley Duran 06:52, Ezra Henry 07:02,Kole Wilkenson 07:05, Hayden Fobert 07:17, Wyatt Bush 07:17, Kami Martin 07:18, Shaya Martin 07:28, Embrie Rollins 07:34, Gabriella Martinez 07:43,Kelby Fobert 07:44, Asher Henry 08:17, Maddie Averette 10:22, and Dylan Perkins 11:17.

11-14-Year-Old Division: Hannah Rollins finished with a time of 09:33, Victoria Gifford 09:37, Jayden Wubber 09:51, Makayla Coleman 09:57, Emma Watkins 09:58, and Haylie Martin 10:20.

Michael Bush, Splashland manager and race director, appreciates all the volunteers, supporters and especially the Alamosa Kiwanis Club for making this a reality for the youth in the valley while bringing awareness to lifelong fitness choices. Children from across the San Luis Valley participated including from Antonito, Center, Del Norte, Monte Vista, Alamosa, Sanford, La Jara, Manassa and even from Cody, Wyo., where these phrases can be heard, “Give it a Tri or have you done a Tri yet.”

Additional important sponsors include:  SLV Health, Papa Murphy’s Take ‘n’ Bake Pizza,  Sport-Kids.org,  Adams State University, Kristi Mountain Sports, Skiball’s Running World, 1st Southwest Bank, Russell Engineering, Trinidad State Jr. College, O&V Printing, Alamosa County, SLV Building Components, San Luis Valley Brewing Company, Century Property Management & Sales, Right Carpet & Interiors, Coombs Farms, Valley Meat Company, San Luis Valley Federal Bank, Caton’s Super Lube, Big Valley Hobby Town, SLV Builders, the City of Alamosa, La Jara Trading Post, Valley-Wide Health Systems, Inc., and Walmart.

This was the largest Kids Only Triathlon and next year the organizers anticipate a few changes to make the event run even smoother. “This event is for the kids and we will try to make it better every year while promoting fitness through swimming, bicycling and running or perhaps doing all three in a triathlon,” Bush said. “See you in mid-August of 2020 for the next Kids Only Triathlon.”

Splashland’s Fifth Annual Benefit Sprint Triathlon will be held October 19 and is the fourth leg in the Southwestern Colorado Triathlon Series, with sprint triathlons in Los Alamos, NM, Gunnison, Montrose and Alamosa, Colo. Proceeds from this event will be used to purchase additional ADA equipment to make Splashland more accessible to everyone. “Come out and support this great cause.”