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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors BureauKimberly Schmitz
MTCVB Director of Communications & PR
kschmitz@visitTucson.org
800.638.8350
Michelle Payette
Director, IRONKIDS
michelle@ironman.com
727.942.4767 ext. 235
Oro Valley Selected as Host for Regional and National IronKids Triathlon
February 17, 2009. Earlier this year, World Triathlon Corporation (WTC), owners of Ironman, Ironman 70.3 and Iron Girl, announced the locations of the regional and National IronKids® Triathlon Series. Oro Valley will host the final regional competition and the national finals of the series October 3-4, 2009. Organizers expect over 1,200 out of town athletes and visitors. (1,800 total attendees including local participants.) "The IronKids Regional and National races are excellent examples of the sporting events for which Tucson and Oro Valley are ideal hosts. We look forward to bringing more of these types of events to the destination." states Vince Trinidad, MTCVB Director of Sports Development.
IronKids, the newest member of the WTC family, will consist of a triathlon series for youth ranging in age from six to 15 years old. The 2009 IronKids National Triathlon Series will be held in location competition-friendly cities across the country. National partners such as Foster Grant, Timex, CLIF Bar, K-Swiss, Life Science Nutritionals and AquaSphere will support the Series in 2009.
IronKids National Triathlon Series
San Diego County, California: May 2, 2009
St. Petersburg, Florida: June 7, 2009
Raleigh, North Carolina: July 5, 2009
Carmel, Indiana: July 19, 2009
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: August 9, 2009
Avon, Colorado: September 6, 2009
Alpharetta, Georgia: September 13, 2009
Oro Valley, Arizona: October 3-4, 2009
Competition for the regional and national championship will take place over two days at the Town of Oro Valley's James Kreigh Park. Distances for the IronKids Events will utilize the traditional swim-bike-run format but will vary, depending on the age of participants.
About IronKids
The IronKids' mission is to inspire and motivate youth through the sport to lead an active, positive and healthy lifestyle. The national event series, targeting children ages six to 15-years-old, will offer an interactive weekend experience for the entire family.
The goal of the IronKids Series will be to host approximately 600-800 participants per event between the ages of six and 15 years old. Children will compete in age-appropriate distances with an emphasis on fitness, fun and safety.
WTC acquired IronKids from the Sara Lee Corporation who had owned the event series since 1985. IronKids' Races have seen more than 40,000 participants in its history. IronKids has introduced some of the sport's greats with past participants including seven-time Tour de France champion, Lance Armstrong and U.S. Olympians, Hunter Kemper and Laura Bennett.
The MTCVB is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the Tucson area as a convention, visitor and film production destination. It is financially supported by the City of Tucson, Pima County, the Town of Oro Valley and its nearly 800 individual and business members.
Visit the MTCVB website at www.visitTucson.org or call 1.800.638.8350 for further information.
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