Over 120 kids lined up at the south end of the outdoor pool at the West Salem Courthouse. Their parents and grandparents, cameras up and ready, stood on the other end. The sky was cloudy and white and the air was warm. The kids jumped on their toes and crossed their arms and giggled. Some at the front of the pack touched the water with their toes. Everyone prepared for the first-ever Tri4Kids. I stood at the top of the slide with a megaphone and cleared my throat.

“Thank you, everyone. My name is Michael Dallas Miller and I’m the Media Director here at Courthouse Fitness. It is my honor and privilege to welcome everyone to the first-ever Tri4Kids.”
The parents clapped and the kids screamed and hopped around.

“I remember when I was about seven years old, we had something called The Iron Kid that we ran at the Keizer Courthouse and I remember it very well. I know that I loved it and I think that experience really encouraged me to stay active throughout my life. So, thank you, parents, for being that encouragement here today. And kids, way to be willing to do something difficult and maybe a little scary. You are going to be great.”

I thanked Mikki Trowbridge and the whole Boys and Girls Club staff for helping put this event on. They worked hard and always ignored what would have been easy and pursued what was amazing, what was memorable, what was the most fun and what would make each kid feel like the most important kid in the world. I thanked my co-workers and I thanked Salem Health for their generous contribution. Then, I said ready and set and go.

Everyone swam. Some slow. Some fast. Some grabbing the wall and others doing flip-turns. Everyone ran. They ran past Cocky the Venti’s Rooster, past Blitz the Bearcat, around Wallace Marine park and to the base of the walking bridge. Everyone biked. A small army of volunteers helped the kids along, encouraged them and made sure they were safe. Parents took pictures and ran as fast as they could so they could try and see as many moments as possible.

Over 120 kids finished the first-ever Tri4Kids by racing across the lower soccer field at Wallace Marine Park. The West Salem High School cheer squad waved their pom-poms and did kicks as they went. And over 120 kids raced up and through an inflatable obstacle course and down the slide through the finish line.

Over 120 kids were given their first-ever triathlon medal.