Sports

Volunteers and sponsors make Kids of Steel the success it is

May 22, 2013   ·   0 Comments

Imagine hosting a party for more than 1,000 people every year.
Now imagine that you have to also organize a way for two-thirds of those people to swim-bike-run a mini-triathlon; some as young as three and four, and as old as 75.
You have to order shirts and food; organize police; modify road closures; order bike racks; coordinate volunteers, medical, parking; and so much more.
Each year, 150 volunteers from the C3 Canadian Cross Training Club give up two days or more of their limited summer to host one of North America’s biggest family triathlons. Without the incredible support of Kinetico Water Systems, Benson Steel and Royal Containers, C3 would not be hosting their 13th annual event May 26.
“Our sponsors are world-class, and not only do they live in the community, but they volunteer, bring out their own families and employees, and truly make a difference in the health and vibrancy of our community,” said race director Stewart Barclay.
Barclay has been the man driving the race for years, and as the month of May comes to a close, Barclay’s life gets incredibly hectic. “As soon as the ski season ends at the Caledon Ski Club, I start ramping up the work on the Kids of Steel Triathlon,” he said.
Together with his many loyal volunteer captains, Barclay and his team help keep Caledon on the map with one of the biggest events in all of Canada.
“Our goal every year is to make sure that every single child and family member feels positive and inspired by their experience at our Kinetico Kids of Steel Race,” he said.
Some of Barclay’s volunteers have had the same jobs for all 13 years. People like Bob Knuckey (run captain), Cathy Wilson, Judy Riseborough and Rene Holden (registration) have been there since the start with Barclay and C3.
Participants in the Kids of Steel race need to register in advance so that organizers can put the athletes into specific swim waves.
“While people can just register the race morning for the two-k and five-k runs, if they are participating in the triathlon races, we need them to pre-register so that we can be organized and ready for them on May 26th,” Barclay said.
One of the highlights each year is the C3 Elite Professionals, who will be in attendance. Caledon’s Andrew Yorke has been racing all over the world (New Zealand, Florida, San Diego and Mexico) and he will be back to meet the families and sign autographs. Joining Yorke, will be Mayfield’s Taylor Reid and Sean Bechtel. Both local men have won major races and are a part of the Caledon-based C3 High Performance Team.
Registration details can be found at www.c3online.ca/2013Events/KOS/index.html

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