USA Triathlon announced a partnership with Girls on the Run International, a nonprofit organization that inspires girls in grades 3-8 to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum that creatively integrates running. Girls on the Run will be a partner of the USA Triathlon Splash & Dash Youth Aquathlon series.
The annual Splash & Dash series, launched in 2012, is comprised of more than 60 swim-run events that take place across the United States from March to October. Open to participants ages 7-15, the series — as with Girls on the Run 5K events — focuses on participation rather than competition. Many of the events are not timed.
At all Splash & Dash events, participants ages 7-10 complete a 100-meter pool swim and a 1-kilometer run, while athletes ages 11-15 complete a 200-meter pool swim and a 2k run. The 2017 Splash & Dash Series saw record participation, with 2,250 youth athletes taking part.
As an official series partner for the 2018-19 season, Girls on the Run will collaborate with USA Triathlon to increase U.S. youth participation in non-competitive sports by encouraging the development of healthy activities and behaviors. Girls on the Run councils based across the country will promote series stops coming to their areas and inspire local youth to partake in the events.
Three to five councils will also have the opportunity to directly host new Splash & Dash events in 2019. Finally, all Splash & Dash participants throughout the season will receive a Girls on the Run giveaway item.
“For years, the USA Triathlon Splash & Dash Youth Aquathlon Series has proven to be one of the most accessible ways to introduce youth to the fun of multisport,” said Meg Duncan, Youth Program Manager at USA Triathlon. “We are proud to bring Girls on the Run into our family of series partners to grow participation in 2018 and beyond. We look forward to working with this impactful organization to help young girls across the country gain confidence and realize their potential.”
“At Girls on the Run, we teach program participants that their dreams are attainable, and their potential is limitless,” said Theresa Miller, Chief Engagement Officer for Girls on the Run. “Through our partnership with USA Triathlon, we look forward to making an impact on the communities we reach while inspiring health, confidence and increased participation in non-competitive sports activities.”
Boy Scouts of America and the USA Swimming Foundation are also partners of the USA Triathlon Splash & Dash Youth Aquathlon Series.
For more information about the Splash & Dash Youth Aquathlon Series and to find an event near you, visit usatriathlon.org/splashanddash.
About Girls on the Run: Based in Charlotte, N.C., Girls on the Run is a nonprofit organization with local Councils in all 50 states. Founded in 1996 with 13 girls, Girls on the Run has now served more than 1.6 million girls. Over the course of the ten-week program, girls in 3rd-8th grade develop essential skills to help them navigate their worlds and establish a lifetime appreciation for health and fitness. The program culminates with girls positively impacting their communities through a service project and being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5K event. With the largest 5K series by number of events in the world, Girls on the Run hosts more than 330 5Ks per year.
Girls on the Run was recently included as a top research-based program in a Social-Emotional Learning Guide developed by researchers at Harvard University and has been recognized by the National Afterschool Association (NAA) as one of the most influential after-school programs.
About USA Triathlon
USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon and paratriathlon in the United States. Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 4,300 events and connects with more than 400,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work with athletes, coaches, and race directors on the grassroots level, USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championships, Pan American Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. USA Triathlon is a proud member of the ITU and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).
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