Kids are (almost) never too young to swim, bike, and run! Triathlon is a great catalyst for family fitness, creating healthy habits that last a lifetime. From toddlers to teens, we've got the perfect race for our next generation of multi-sport athletes.
We offer three race categories with varying distances for ages 1-14. And yes, we've had kids under 2 participate wearing swimmy diapers and riding tricycles. The swim course is shallow enough that Goldfish and Dolphins can touch at all times, and the entire kids race is within Hawk Island County Park, providing optimum safety for racers & visibility for parents.
Community Benefit
Participating in the Hawk Island Triathlon not only benefits child's health and wellness, it helps us improve health and wellness in our Sough Lansing community. Proceeds from this event support our nonprofit food access programs: @South Lansing Urban Gardens and @South Lansing Farmers Market.
Distances
Goldfish (6 and under): 25m swim, 200m bike, 100m run.
Dolphin (10 and under): 100m swim, 3 mile bike, 1k run.
Shark (14 and under): 200m swim, 4.5 mile bike, 2k run.
Courses
Swim: Goldfish swim in shallow water parallel to shore (life vests and other swim aids allowed for this age group). Dolphins swim the perimeter of the shallow beach area, inside the buoy lines. Sharks swim the perimeter of the entire beach area, outside the buoy lines. Lifeguards and guides are stationed in the water with swimmers.
Bike: Golfish bike in a cordoned-off parking area (training wheels/scooters allowed). Dolphins bike 2 loops around the rivertrail within Hawk Island Park. 3 loops for Sharks.
Run: Goldfish run in a cordoned-off parking area. Dolphins run out and back along beach path and boardwalk. Double loop for Sharks.
Sign up at
https://www.active.com/lansing-mi/triathlon/races/hawk-island-triathlon-2025
Rates increase on April 1, May 1, May 18, and onsite.
Goldfish: $30 early, $35 (4/1), $40 (5/1), $45 (5/18), $55 onsite
Dolphins/Sharks: $40 early, $45 (4/1), $50 (5/1), $55 (5/18), $65 onsite
Online registration closes at 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 29. Onsite registration is available during Saturday and Sunday check-in. CashApp, Venmo, and Credit Cards accepted onsite (CC has processing fee).
Race Shirts
Cotton race shirts are included with kids registration. During registration, choose a shirt size OR choose "Bees over Tees" to donate the cost of the shirt to help expand the pollinator gardens at our nonprofit urban farm and community gardens. Choose "Bees and Tees" if you'd like to make a donation in addition to getting a shirt.
Your pollination donations help us increase food production at South Lansing Urban Gardens, the harvest from which is donated to local food pantries and free meal sites.
Shirt sizes can only be guaranteed if registered before midnight on Sunday, May 18. Click for youth race shirt sizing chart on the website (hawk-i-tri.com)
Timing
Goldfish are non-competitive. No timing.
Dolphins/Sharks wear timing straps on their ankles and get transition split times.
Awards
All particiapants receive a finisher medal. Top three boys and girls in each age division receive placement awards (Dolphins and Sharks).
Location/Amenities
Hawk Island County Park is located at 1601 E. Cavanaugh St. between Pennsylvania and Aurelius Roads in Lansing, MI. The park features a beautiful beach and swimming area, splash park, playground, sand volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, picnic grounds and shelters, and a beach house/snack bar.
Park Policies
Hawk Island Park is family and pet friendly. Dogs are allowed on leash in the park and off leash in the 17 acre Soldan Dog Park located at the northeast corner of Hawk Island Park. Glass bottles and alcoholic beverages are NOT allowed.
Parking
On-site parking is available for $3 for Ingham County residents, $5 for non-residents. County residents with an annual pass are free. Participants will only need to pay once for the weekend. Those who pay for parking to attend the Friday practice swim or Saturday early packet pick-up will receive an entry pass for the rest of the weekend. This pass is only available to participants. Spectators must pay each time they enter the park. Free parking is available at Soccer Zone, a half mile walk on the river trail to the race pavilion.
IMPORTANT: There is only one route for vehicles in and out of the park (at the gate on Cavanaugh), and those lanes are part of the sprint and supe sprint bike course.
Park access on race day is dictated by your arrival and departure times. Vehicles may enter and exit the park before 8 a.m. and after 10:30 a.m. From 8-10:30am, park entry and exit is restricted to emergency vehicles only. Everyone else arriving during that time (this includes youth racers, spectators, and volunteers) must park at Soccer Zone and walk into the park.
Check-In
Early check-in is Saturday, May 31, from 1-4pm. Participants receive bib#, swim cap, shirt, disposable timing strap, swag, and body marking (if requested, otherwise race day).
Race day kids check in from 10:45-11:45am.
Race Policies
BIB Transfers: Registrations can be transfered to another racer through Active.com. Racers handle all financial transactions related to swapping registrations. No transfers allowed after 5pm, Thursday, May 29.
Note: If the registration transfer is complete by Sunday, May 18, shirt size can be changed. After that, shirt sizes cannot be guaranteed.
Transition Area
For the safety of our participants and the security of their belongings, the transition area for Dolphins and Sharks is off limits to everyone except racers, race staff, and volunteers wearing fluorescent volunteer shirts. Race numbers MUST be displayed to gain access to the transition area.
There is a separate transition area for Goldfish, and parents are allowed to assist their child along the entire course.
Athlete Conduct
We reserve the right to disqualify anyone who behaves inappropriately toward fellow competitors, volunteers, or race management staff.
No Refunds
While we sympathize with athletes unable to participate due to injury, illness or other circumstances, registration fees are NONREFUNDABLE. This includes cancellation due to severe weather and natural disasters. You may opt to purchase race insurance from Active.com. Registrations cancelled with advance notice may, at the discretion of event organizers, be rolled into the following year.
Safety/Medical Services
First Aid is available in the medical tent near the finish line. Lifeguards are stationed on boats and paddle boards using zone coverage along the swim course. If you know anyone with current certification, we are always hiring.
Aid Stations
Water is available on the run course, under the race pavilion, and at the finish. We do not have water on the bike course – make sure to bring a bottle.
Volunteers
Our volunteers ensure we provide a safe and enjoyable race experience for particiants and spectators. In addition to set up and tear down, volunteers provide direction on the swim, bike, and run courses. They monitor the parking and transition areas, serve refreshments, provide body markings, and hand out medals. Teams, clubs, and other organizations are welcome to volunteer as a group. We provide training, shirts, and food! Some of our most enthusiastic helpers at the kids race are parents and family friends. If you or anyone you know is interested in helping, please follow the link, and sign up today!
Race Weekend Schedule
Friday (May 30)
6-7:30 Practice Swim and newbie Q&A (Sharks only).
Saturday (May 31)
1-4 Early check-in.
Sunday (June 1)
10:45 Kids check-in & transition area open
11:45 Kids check-in closes
12:00 Goldfish
12:20 Sharks
12:30 Dolphins
1:00 Kids Awards
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