ShawneeDispatch.com

The Shawnee Parks and Recreation Department is planning yet another athletic event for next year that is sure to draw participants from all over the metropolitan area.

A children's triathalon is in the works for next Spring, planned for June 14 at the Soetaert Aquatic Center. Tonya Lecuru, deputy director of parks and recreation, said the department is looking for partners to help out with the swimming, biking and running event.

The idea for the event came from aquatics recreation specialists Sean Keenan and Desiree Dudding, who were trying to organize an event that could serve as a fundraiser for the department's scholarship program and that could also include the city's pools.

They also wanted an event that was a little more unique to the area. Similar events are held in southern Overland Park, Lawrence and Lee's Summit, Mo., but there isn't much competition elsewhere.

Lecuru said the event would be open to children aged 5 to 15, with junior and senior levels providing two different course lengths. Swimming would take place at the Soetaert pool, with streets blocked off for running and biking, all ending at Bichelmeyer-Pflumm Park just south of the pool.

Lecuru said the department was excited to plan an event aimed specifically at getting children active.

"It's not just for kids who are triathletes; it's open to everybody," she said. "It's just a great was to get kids involved and active. With the rates of child obesity and diabetes today, anything we can do to get kids up and moving just has to be a good thing."

The department is still working on routes and looking for partners to help plan the event. Those who are interested in helping plan the event can come to the next monthly meeting at 9 a.m. Dec. 4 at Civic Centre, 13817 Johnson Dr., or contact Lecuru at (913) 631-5200.