Kids who participated in the “Splash and Dash” choose prizes after the event. There were 30 children ages 7 to 14 who participated.
Cathy Cook | El Defensor Chieftain photos

 

The Socorro Striders and Riders hosted the inaugural “Splash and Dash” for kids Saturday at New Mexico Tech.

Jacob Carillo, age 10, finishes his second and final lap at the “Splash and Dash” at New Mexico Tech.

The event was a simplified triathlon, with just swimming and running. Children ages 7 to 14 swam laps in the New Mexico Tech pool. Then they took off their swimming goggles, donned shoes and ran two laps around a field. Volunteers offered water at the end of the first lap and rang cowbells to encourage kids as they approached the finish line.

Most years the Striders and Riders host a children’s triathlon, but between the COVID-19 pandemic and road construction all over the city of Socorro, they decided to simplify by eliminating the biking, said Race Director Beth Cadol.

“Splash and Dash” was a simplified triathlon where kids swam laps and ran a race.

Many of the kids who participated have previously competed in the triathlon, but there were some new faces, said Cadol. There were 30 kids participating in the “Splash and Dash” and approximately the same number of adult volunteers to help run the event. There were no places in the race. Instead every participant could choose a prize at the end.

“I think it’s important to stretch ourselves to try new things as kids and as adults,” said Cadol.

That so many participants and volunteers came out on the Saturday before the school semester started shows what “makes Socorro awesome” said Cadol

Cathy Cook | El Defensor Chieftain Editor