It is no secret that the best sport, in my humble opinion, is the triathlon. I have been participating in the sport for over 40 consecutive years! These swim, bike, run events hold a dear place in my heart, and have been a gateway into a healthy, fit lifestyle for so many, which is why I am a proud founder and sponsor of the Smiley Sprint Triathlon Festival weekend!
Just a few weeks ago we held the First Annual Smiley Sprint Triathlon Festival Weekend in the beautiful Clemmons West neighborhood. A two-day event, the Festival Weekend features the Kids for Kids Triathlon for kids ages 7-14 on Saturday, and the Smiley Sprint Triathlon on Sunday. I have been involved in both events separately for years, and when given the opportunity to combine them, I jumped at the chance to offer the community a Triathlon festival unlike anything seen in the Triad before! And what a weekend it was! We had a live band at the finish line, hundreds of spectators, and many Clemmons West families watching the race from their own front yards.
The Kids Race is one of the highlights of our community and is nationally acclaimed. This was the 18th year of this wonderful event. For all in attendance, the smiles on these young faces provides a lifetime of memories. We are so pleased to introduce kids to the sport in a safe and fun environment!
For those unfamiliar with Triathlons, these sprint distance events are perfect for athletes new to the sport or who are trying out a triathlon for the first time, as well as for the seasoned competitor racing to beat their own personal best time on the course. Our races are in a safe, encouraging environment and are perfect for anyone wanting to give it a tri (pun and spelling intended). All are welcome to come and try your hand at a full triathlon, or to be part of a relay team.
We are so pleased to see members of our community embracing a healthy, fit lifestyle and are glad to be part of these wonderful events. We are also very grateful to all who help make these events such a success. Now is the perfect time to begin training for next year’s event! We can’t wait to give YOU a championship reception at the finish line!