Fun for all through family and kids swim run at AJ Bell 2022 WTCS Leeds

11 June, 2022

There was fun for all the family with children as young as four and their parents and guardians taking part in the Family and Kids Swim Run at AJ Bell 2022 World Triathlon Championship Series Leeds.

The Swim Bike Run Kids and Swim Bike Run Family events are new opportunities during the World Triathlon Championship Series Leeds weekend and were designed especially for anyone looking to start their journey within swim, bike, run.

Children and adults took part in the 90m swim and 400m run which was held in Waterloo Lake and then around part of Roundhay Park. Participants were able to enjoy the blue carpet finish where the world’s best triathletes and thousands of participants will cross during the two-day swim, bike, run festival.

Chris Wickett has previously participated in Leeds, but this year the Family Swim-Event meant he could participate together with his wife Jenny and their four-year-old sons, Seb and Stanley.

Speaking after finishing the event with his family, Chris said: “I participated at Leeds a few years ago and I loved it and I’ve always wanted to try and do things as a family that are really enjoyable. I was going to enter the age group race myself, but I thought we’ll try it as a family. It’s been amazing to get the boys involved at such a young age and my wife as well.

“For us as a family, when we look back at photos, we have those memories together and it’s one of those things where we can look and say we were there, and we did that.”

Jenny added: “This is my first experience of doing swim and run together, so I was reluctant to start with but when I heard we could get these involved I thought it is a great way to do something as a family and try and get them hooked on a different sport.”

Commenting on the event, Jenny Vincent, Head of Participation at British Triathlon, said: “Both the swim-run family and kids events are a new opportunity to discover swim, bike, run, and it’s been fantastic to see so many families participating in Roundhay Park, making memories whilst doing something active and fun together.

“A big focus for us and our BIG Active strategy is removing barriers to participation so that everyone can experience and enjoy swim, bike, run. Whilst the events today have been part of the larger World Triathlon Championship Series event, there are plenty of other opportunities across the country, many in the heart of local communities, so you can get involved and enjoy swim, bike, run where you live in a relaxed, welcoming and supportive environment.”

To find out more about getting involved in swim, bike, run, including future opportunities near you, visit https://www.gotri.org/whats-on.