New IRONKIDS events for Scottish youngsters

IRONKIDS comes to Scotland for the first time this summer. Part of the vast IRONMAN brand, IRONKIDS offers running events for children aged three to 14. The first of its kind in Scotland will take place on the same weekend as the IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh race.

Some 50,000 young people already take part in IRONKIDS races worldwide – and now it is the turn of Scottish youngsters. There will be three IRONKIDS runnign events to choose from on June 29 and 30 in Midlothian, East Lothian and Edinburgh.

The events are also a key part of Scotland’s Year of Young People 2018 celebrations.

What is IRONKIDS?

The three event series includes will mass-participation running events with courses of between 500m and 2km. There are different distances for four age categories.

They include:

• 500m for Primary 1 and 2 age groups. These children must run with a parent or guardian.
• 1km for P3 to P6
• 1.5km for P7 to S2
• 2km for those in S3 and S4 (up to age 14).

The first IRONKIDS Scotland event will be staged at Dalkeith Country Park, Midlothian, on Friday June 29.

The next day, there will be two further events at Prestonpans in East Lothian, and at Holyrood Park, Edinburgh.

The cost of entry for each IRONKIDS Scotland event is £4 (plus 8 per cent fee processing cost).

Each child who takes part will receive an IRONKIDS T-shirt and an IRONKIDS medal.

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. It has been an ambition for some time and the incredible support of the Year of Young People and our partners in the local authorities has made it possible.”

Councillor Donald Wilson, who is Edinburgh’s Culture and Communities Convener, said: “As a keen marathon runner I know first-hand the benefits of physical activity.

“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.

“With races from 500 metres to 2km, it really does offer something for children of all abilities.”

Volunteer with IRONKIDS Scotland

IRONKIDS is also looking for young volunteers to assist with the delivery of the events as part of Year of Young People 2018. Young people aged eight to 26 can sign up to help with a variety of roles such as marshalling, customer services and registration on they day.

There will be opportunities to help with other aspects of the events, such as choosing and running theentertainments and taster sessions, too.

For more information about volunteering for IRONKIDS Scotland – Midlothian, East Lothian and Edinburgh – and to register interest visit the volunteer section of IRONKIDS Scotland.

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said:  “Scotland is celebrating the Year of Young People this year, where the spotlight is shining on young people’s talents and contributions.

“Working with the events and festivals industry in Scotland, 2018 provides us with a special opportunity to showcase our rich annual events programme and a host of new events. We are delighted to be supporting IRONKIDS Scotland through dedicated Year of Young People funding.”

IRONMAN Edinburgh 70.3

The iconic IRONMAN brand has been around for 40 years. The full three-discipline race comprises a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile cycle and a marathon run.

Today there are more than 200 events staged in 50 countries.

In 2017, IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh, a middle distance triathlon, was the first IRONMAN-branded event to be staged in Scotland. It is a middle distance triathlon and takes place on July 1, 2018.

Some 1625 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.

See IRONMAN Edinburgh 70.3 and IRONKIDS Scotland.