Kids of steel event has pupils in a spin

Jun 30 2011 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

ALMOST 800 West Lothian school pupils ditched their text books and pens for bikes, balls and swimming trunks as Armadale Academy hosted the popular Kids of Steel triathlon.

The largest event of its kind across Scotland drew massive numbers on Wednesday, June 15, as a near 800-strong pool of youngsters, aged between 8-12, took part in a fully equipped mini-triathlon, aimed at providing pupils with an enjoyable experience of one of the UK’s fastest growing sports.

The participants swam 50m of the school pool before hopping onto a bike outside for a 1km lap followed by a 400m run to the finish line.

Special guest on the day was West Lothian’s very own Catriona Morrison, who is the world-renowned triathlon and ironman champion.

Afterwards, the pupils enjoyed a range of additional sporting activities.

The event was arranged by West Lothian Council’s Active Schools Team in partnership with Triathlon Scotland.

The West Lothian Schools Triathlon is the largest schools triathlon this year, and follows two events in Cupar and Edinburgh in May. It is the fifth year the West Lothian area – a breeding ground for some of the best Scottish triathletes – has hosted a schools’ event.

Executive councillor for culture and leisure Jim Walker said: “This event aimed to get young people involved in challenging activities.

“Triathlons are growing in popularly across the country and they offer our young people a chance to experience different sports.”

The event has been arranged jointly by West Lothian Active Schools and triathlon Scotland – the national governing body for triathlon in Scotland and a member of the British Triathlon Federation.

Schools participating in the event include:

Primary schools: St Anthony’s; Westfield; Armadale; East Calder; Low Port; St Mary’s; Ogilvie School Campus; Harrysmuir; Williamson; Whitdale; Mid Calder; Linlithgow; Kirknewton; Carmondean; Blackburn; Deans; Knightsridge; Simpson; Balbardie; Windyknowe; Woodmuir; Linlithgow Bridge; Stoneyburn; Parkhead; Eastertoun; Blackridge; Longridge and Greenrigg.

Secondary schools: Armadale Academy and St Kentigern’s Academy.

For more information on Scottish triathlon, visit www.triathlonscotland.org