IRONKIDS comes to Edinburgh

3000 young Scots get set to take part in global running series

THE organisers of IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh, Scotland’s biggest triathlon which takes place on Sunday 1 July, have launched IRONKIDS Scotland, a series of three fun and family-focused running events for young people aged three 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 [4pm on Friday 29 June; IRONKIDS Scotland – East Lothian at Preston Links, Prestonpans [from 11:00] and IRONKIDS Scotland – Edinburgh at Holyrood Park, [3pm, Saturday 30 June are the venues for the fun-packed mass participation running events with routes of between 500 metres and two kilometres.

IRONKIDS Scotland is the newest event in the hugely popular IRONKIDS global series of children’s events, staged alongside the legendary IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon events, with 50,000 young people across the world taking part every year.

However, in a first for IRONKIDS, IRONKIDS Scotland will see three separate children’s running events being staged at three separate venues over the IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh event weekend.

Registration for IRONKIDS Scotland is now open.

Sign up now for Midlothian, East Lothian or Edinburgh events on the IRONKIDS Scotland website – 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 three 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 1,000 young people to sign up at each venue and enjoy the running, the competition and the camaraderie with their friends, as well as the family entertainment and sports taster sessions that will be laid on. Each child who takes part will also receive an IRONKIDS T-shirt to race in and an IRONKIDS medal once they cross the finish line under the iconic IRONMAN finish arch.

Young people between the ages of eight and 26 will be provided with an 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 go to http://eu.ironman.com/triathlon/events/emea/ironman-70.3/edinburgh/ironkids/volunteer-at-ironkids-scotland.aspx#axzz59ph5YYLh

The iconic IRONMAN Series of events, widely recognised as the world’s most challenging endurance race series, is believed to be 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. 1,625 athletes (80 per cent men and 20 per cent 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’s 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 3,000 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 main IRONMAN event in addition to experiencing the energy and atmosphere created by a festival of activation activities that will be organised by local young people.”

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 500 metres to 2km, it really does offer something for runners of all abilities.”