OREANDA-NEWS. July 26, 2011. The Tata Kids of Steel children’s  triathlon series has enabled almost 12,000 children to experience triathlon in  the UK this year.

The series, organised by British  Triathlon in partnership with Tata Steel, visited 18 locations across the UK  between May and July.

Since the series launched in 2007, more  than 35,000 children from almost 400 schools have had the opportunity to experience  triathlon. Next year, there will be 24 events across the UK and Tata Steel has  committed to giving at least 50,000 youngsters the chance to experience  triathlon by the end of 2012.

Sarah Jolley, Tata Steel Communications  Manager, said: “As the Corporate Partner of British Triathlon, Tata Steel has  been instrumental in the growth and development of triathlon in the UK for the  past five years.

“Tata Steel is proud to be enabling the  sport of triathlon, helping British Triathlon to achieve its mission of  promoting excellence in the sport and helping everyone to achieve their own  personal triathlon challenge.”

The Tata Kids of Steel events aim to  give every child a positive and fun experience of triathlon, regardless of  ability.  Every child receives a t-shirt,  swim cap, gym sack and medal for participating.   Bikes and helmets are provided, and children only need to provide  swimming and running kit.

Mark Barfield, Director for Development  at British Triathlon added: “This year’s Tata Kids of Steel events have once  again ensured thousands of budding triathletes have had the opportunity to  learn about our fast growing, modern and dynamic sport of triathlon.

“The support of Tata Steel our  Corporate Partner has ensured every participant completed their personal  triathlon challenge with the correct kit and equipment and left their event  with a smile of their face.”

The series launched in Newham, East  London in the Olympic host borough, before travelling the length and breadth of  the UK. The events at Willesden (North London), Scunthorpe and Bristol were the  largest with nearly 1,000 children taking part in each event.  Teesside, Swansea, Corby and Cambridge were  also big events, with more than 700 children taking part.

Tata Steel employees volunteered to  help at events in Scunthorpe, Rotherham, Swansea, Mold, Birmingham, Teesside  and Corby, all close to Tata Steel manufacturing or distribution sites in the  UK.

Sue Wood, Headteacher of Hunton CEP School that attended the  Maidstone Tata Kids of Steel event, described it as “amazing”. She said: “Our  children fully enjoyed participating and the organisation was excellent.”  

One child that took part at the Mold event in North Wales commented:  “This is the best day ever - and I've been to Disneyland on holiday.”

British triathletes Jonathan and Alistair Brownlee, and Helen  Jenkins were also on hand at their local events in Leeds and Swansea to  encourage and inspire the children taking part.   Members of the British Triathlon Olympic Talent Squad also lent their  support including Sky Draper, James Davis and Sophie Coldwell.

In addition, Tata Steel’s IJmuiden plant organised its first  children’s triathlon event. Fifty children took part in the Netherlands’ first  Tata Steel children’s triathlon on 6 July. The children, aged six to twelve,  participated in swimming, cycling and running, with distances varying according  to their ages. The swimming took place in open water at Lake Westbroek. All  children received a safety briefing and members of the IJmond diving team acted  as marshals in the water. Wearing their blue Tata Steel swimming caps, the  youngest children took to the water before jumping on a bike for the cycle leg  and then completing the running route in great spirits.

The  full list of Tata Kids of Steel events in 2011 were as follows:

East London, Newham – Weds 4 May

West London, Ealing – Thurs 5

Cambridge – Fri 6 May

Edinburgh – Tues 17 May

Fife – Weds 18 May

Teesside – Thurs 19 May

Birmingham – Tues 24 May

Leeds – Weds 25 May

Rotherham – Thurs 26 May

North Wales, Mold – Weds 22 June

Manchester – Thurs 23 June

Scunthorpe – Fri 24 June

Kent, Maidstone – Tues 28 June

North London, Willesden – Weds 29 June

Swansea – Tues 5 July

Bristol – Weds 6 July

East Sussex, Lewes – Thurs 7 July

Corby – Fri 8 July