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Group Homes' Triathlon Gives Kids a Reason to Run

Aug 15, 2018 -

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2018 Triathalon Header

Some call it a try-athlon.


For boys and girls living on the Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services’ group home campus in Itasca, an annual triathlon provides a goal that is also therapeutic. One boy hates swimming, but he competes anyway. Another young boy always comes in last, but he participates in the event every year. A little girl said, “I didn’t really want to do this, but I found out that running on the track every morning helped me feel better.”


The competition for residents started five years ago and continues to be a hit among the 25 to 30 children who live together on the PCHAS campus in Itasca. Phyllis Carlson, assistant group home supervisor, says that the children are not required to participate, but many of them enjoy having the routine – training one hour per morning, four days a week. They like challenging themselves, too, no matter their age. This year’s youngest participant was seven years old.

2018 Triathalon Photo

“They swim 10 laps in our pool and run five kilometers on the track,” Carlson says. “Our bike path is about 10 miles. We assign two people to each athlete, one to watch their timing and one to encourage them.” Carlson awards cash prizes to a boy and girl under 12 and another boy and girl over 12. She also gives an award to the child who attends the most practices each summer. “On the big day, the whole campus turns out and cheers for the kids, so it’s a very uplifting event,” she says.


Regular exercise is a proven way to improve mental as well as physical health, but the kids at the Itasca Group Home seem most interested in challenging themselves on the track, in the pool or on a bike. For children who have endured unimaginable hardships, trying is still just as much fun as winning. 


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