Sport
24 February, 2026
Local annual KIDZ triathlon returns this Sunday
Local kids are preparing to make a splash, spin the wheels and sprint along at the Maryborough and District Triathlon Club’s seventh annual KIDZ triathlon this weekend.
The club’s major junior participation event is open to all children aged between seven and 12 to come and try a new and unique sport.
Held this Sunday, March 1, participants will tackle a 25 m swim at the Maryborough Sports and Leisure Centre indoor pool, followed by a 900 m cycle and 400 m run on the nearby Jack Pascoe Reserve.
With budding athletes able to enjoy three separate disciplines, Maryborough and District Triathlon Club secretary Jenny Barras said the event helps promote fun physical activity.
“The next generation of budding triathletes are given the chance to experience what triathlon is all about,” she said.
“(Participating) in sport is a good grounding for children in their development and in their knowledge of growing.
“We are trying to promote a new sporting experience for kids and their families in a safe and social environment.
“To see them smiling at the end of the race and having enjoyed it is fantastic. We want them to have fun and experience something new.”
The club is currently in the midst of its 2025/26 club championship season, with monthly events open to all members of the public to participate in, regardless of experience.
Each event of the club championship features both a short and long course, allowing participants to choose either distance individually or as part of a team.
According to Barras, the upcoming KIDZ triathlon is one of many ways the club attempts to make a potentially daunting sport more achievable.
“We are a very family-friendly club that provides a good atmosphere for triathletes of all levels. At any level, you are welcome to come and have a go,” she said.
“It’s a very safe environment for the children to be in, because we aren’t on the open roads and we are in an indoor pool where they should be able to stand up if they get tired during the swim.”
The KIDZ triathlon will commence this Sunday, March 1, at the Maryborough Sports and Leisure Centre.
Registrations, which are $10 cash only on the day, open at 9 am for a 9.30 am start time.
“If they aren’t quite sure this year, just come down and have a look at how it runs and the kids competing and once they are there, they might get the vibe and the feel for it and want to have a go,” Barras said.