COLUMBIA KIDS TRIATHLON
JULY 19, 2026 | COLUMBIA, MD
REGISTRATION OPENS FRIDAY, FEB 6, 2026
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GENERAL RACE INFO
The Columbia Association KIDS Triathlon is a race for all level athletes. Staged at Clemens Crossing Pool in Columbia, MD, participants will complete a pool swim, road bike and paved trail run. The bike course is moderate in elevation change and the run course is relatively flat. Registration includes t-shirt and finisher medal.
This race is sanctioned by USA Triathlon. All RULES apply.
7-8 yr : Swim 50 yards, Bike 2 miles, Run 0.5 mile
9-10 yr : Swim 100 yards, Bike 2 miles, Run 0.5 mile
11-12 yr : Swim 100 yards, Bike 4 miles, Run 1 mile
13-15 yr : Swim 150 yards, Bike 6 miles, Run 1 mile
RACE LOCATION
Clemens Crossing Pool, 6400 Martin Rd, Columbia, MD 21044
AGE REQUIREMENT
Ages 7-15 years old.
All participants shall compete based on their age on December 31, 2026.
ELIGIBILITY
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Youth participants must be Youth members of USA Triathlon. A new or current membership can be added to your online registration.
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Race officials reserve the right to require proof of age from each participant in the form of a birth certificate or other official proof of age document. Failure to produce a proof of age document may result in disqualification from the event.
PARKING
Parking on race day will be alongside of Martin Road opposite the field at Clemens Crossing Pool and at Clemens Cross Elementary School. Parking is limited so please carpool if possible. Use the following GPS address on race morning- 6400 Martin Rd, Columbia, MD 21044. Additional/overflow parking will be at the Atholton Adventist Academy parking lot across the street from the transition area.
There is no parking allowed in the Clemens Crossing Pool parking lot and on either side of Quarterstaff Road. The Clemens Crossing Elementary School parking lot will close once the race starts and will not reopen until the last cyclist has finished the bike. If you need to leave prior to this time, please do not park in the Clemens Crossing Elementary School parking lot.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Saturday, July 18
4:00 PM - Athlete Check In Opens
5:00 PM - Athlete Meeting (optional)
6:00 PM - Athlete Check In Closes
Sunday, July 19
6:30 AM - Athlete Check In and Transition Area Opens
7:45 AM - All participants to the pool deck
8:00 AM - Boys/Girls 13-15 yrs swim waves START
8:20 AM - Boys/Girls 11-12 yrs swim waves* START
8:45 AM - Boys/Girls 9-10 yrs swim waves* START
9:10 AM - Boys/Girls 7-8 yrs swim waves* START
*estimated start time. Subject to change based on the speed of the swimmers in each age group.
ATHLETE CHECK-IN
Triathletes have two options to pick up their race packet. We strongly encourage pick up on Saturday at the race venue (Clemens Crossing Pool grassy field). This will remove some of the stress of race morning. If you choose to wait until race morning, please arrive early.
Per USA Triathlon rules, each participant MUST pick up his/her own packet in person. All participants 18 years and older must bring a valid photo I.D. to athlete check in. NO PHOTO ID = NO RACE!!! If you are under 18 without a photo ID, your parent or guardian may show their photo ID. Friends of participants are NOT permitted to pick up race packets for each other - this is a firm USA Triathlon rule.
Athlete Check-In Time Options
Saturday, July 18, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 19, 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.
If a triathlete does not pick up his/her packet during one of the designated times, he/she will not be able to participate in the race.
What To Bring To Athlete Check-in
Parents/guardians may pick up their triathlete’s packet without their triathlete present, however, triathletes may not pick up their packet without a parent/guardian present.
Parents/guardians/triathletes must bring the following to athlete check-in:
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Parent/guardian’s photo ID
If a triathlete does not pick up his/her packet during the designated packet pick up times, he/she will not be able to participate in the Columbia Association Kids Triathlon.
YOUR RACE PACKET WILL INCLUDE:
WRISTBAND
A unique wristband will be given to participants at athlete check-in. Participants must wear this wrist band at all times on race day. This wristband must remain on until you have removed your bike from transition after the race. This band will identify you as an official participant and allows you access to the transition area. You will not be allowed into the transition area without this band in place.
BIKE ADHESIVE NUMBER
At athlete check-in, you will be given an adhesive bike number. Your bike must have an adhesive number on to rack on race morning.
TIMING
At athlete check in, you will be given a ankle chip timing. Athletes must wear their ankle chip at all times during this event. Should you forget your timing chip or loose it during the race, please let race management know so that we can give you another timing chip. Relay teams must transfer timing chips between teammates in the transition area.
RACE BIBS
Participants must wear their race bib on the run course at all times. Athletes can either pin their race bib to their shirt or wear it attached to a race belt. Relay teams must transfer bibs between teammates in the transition area. Athletes are required to wear their bib on their front side when going in and out of transition and crossing the finish line.
WRISTBAND
A unique wristband will be given to participants at athlete check-in. Participants must wear this wrist band at all times on race day. This wristband must remain worn until you have removed your bike from transition after the race. This band will identify you as an official participant and allows you access to the transition area. You will not be allowed into the transition area without this band on your wrist.
One adult may accompany each triathlete in the transition area prior to the race start. This parent must wear the second wristband given to the athlete in their race packet. Non-racing siblings, pets, strollers and friends are NOT permitted into the transition area at any time. During the race, only participants are permitted in the transition area (no parents or siblings). Race staff and transition area volunteers will be available to assist triathletes during the race.
11-15 Yr - Blue Wristband
7-10 yr - Pink Wristband
PRE-RACE TALK
Please consider attending the Pre-Race Talk, which will provide important information about the race, and include a question-and-answer segment. If you are a first timer– attending this is recommended!
Saturday, July 18 at 5:00 p.m. at Clemens Crossing Pool in the transition area on the grass field.
TRANSITION AREA
One adult may accompany each triathlete in the transition area prior to the race start. This parent must wear the second wristband given to the athlete in their race packet. Non-racing siblings, pets, strollers and friends are NOT permitted into the transition area at any time. During the race, only participants are permitted in the transition area (no parents or siblings). Transition area volunteers will be available to assist triathletes during the race.
Transition area volunteers will be available to assist triathletes with finding and setting up their transition space if necessary. Each triathlete will have an assigned transition rack space on race day. Bikes should be positioned with the front of the bike facing in the same direction as the sticker on the transition rack. Equipment must be placed on the ground to the left of the bike when facing the transition rack.
Please place the race number sticker you received at packet pick up on the top tube of your triathlete’s bike so that we may identify it in transition. The top tube is the horizontal tube connecting the front fork and the seat tube. Do not place this sticker on your triathlete’s helmet. Triathletes may not remove their bikes or gear from the transition area until the last triathlete has started the run. This is in the interest of safety and good sportsmanship. It’s also a USA Triathlon rule.
RESULTS
LIVE results will be published throughout the race. Use your mobile phone and go to the RESULTS page and click on Columbia Association Kids Triathlon link. On the results web page, enter your bib number or name to view your individual results.
FINISHER MEDAL & AWARDS
Participants will receive a finisher medal at the finish line. Be sure to pose for a photo with our logo backdrop.
If your triathlete earns an award and you are unable to stay for the awards ceremony, you may have someone accept it on your behalf. Rip It Events will not mail awards to winners after the race.
Age Group - Top 3 (M & F): 7 yr, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
(there is no overall youth awards, only age group awards)
SPECTATOR INFO
Having friends and family cheer you on and provide moral support on race day is highly encouraged! Below is information for spectators.
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Athletes may only receive assistance during the race from official race staff only. This excludes friends, family members, and other spectators. Triathlons are individual tests of fitness. Spectators who help with your bike, fix a flat tire, or hand you food and water is a violation of the rules of multisport racing. Athletes who receive outside assistance are subject to race penalties.
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Spectators must stay clear of the official race course. At no time may a spectator block or prevent athletes moving forward on the race course.
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Spectators may not bike alongside athletes on the bike course.
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Transition Area - One adult may accompany each triathlete in the transition area prior to the race start. This parent must wear the second wristband given to the athlete in their race packet. During the race, no parents (non-participants) are permitted in the transition area. Transition area volunteers will be available to assist triathletes during the race.
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Spectators are not allowed in the finish line shoot; however, spectators will be permitted in the post-race area.
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Race staff reserves the right to remove spectators who are disruptive to fellow spectators and athletes from the race venue.
REGISTRATION
Registration fee includes soft cotton t-shirt and finisher medal.
INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION
$60, Feb 7 - Feb 9, 2025
$65, Feb 10 - Apr 25, 2025
$70, Apr 26 - Jun 27, 2025
$75, Jun 28 - Jul 17, 2025
$80, Race Weekend
In-person registration is available at packet pick up on Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19. Registration transfers are not permitted to other RIVAL events. Race organizers reserve the right to close registration due to capacity limits. Race organizers reserve the right to delay or cancel event due to extreme weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. Pets, baby joggers/strollers, in-line skates, bicycles, and any other non-official wheeled vehicles are prohibited.
RACE SWAG
Registration fee for both Adult and Youth race includes a short sleeve shirt and finisher medal.
(image below is 2025 swag. 2026 swag to be published soon)
RACE INFO
This race is sanctioned by USA Triathlon. All RULES apply.
7-8 yr : Swim 50 yards, Bike 2 miles, Run 0.5 mile
9-10 yr : Swim 100 yards, Bike 2 miles, Run 0.5 mile
11-12 yr : Swim 100 yards, Bike 4 miles, Run 1 mile
13-15 yr : Swim 150 yards, Bike 6 miles, Run 1 mile
RACE START
This race will use a time trail start (participants will start one person at a time, every 5 seconds). We will start with the oldest age groups and move through to the youngest. This race will use a time trail start (participants will start one person at a time, every 5 seconds).
SWIM COURSE
The swim will take place in the 25 yard, eight lane, outdoor pool. Triathletes will be staged along the pool deck by age group. All starts will be in-water from the shallow end of the pool. Triathletes will complete a "snake swim" in the pool. Flip turns are not allowed. Triathletes will exit the pool and must walk while on the pool deck until they pass through the pool gate to the transition area.
Required Distances
13-15 yrs old: 150 yards (6 lengths of pool)
11-12 yrs old: 100 yards (4 lengths of pool)
9-10 yrs old: 100 yards (4 lengths of pool)
7-8 yrs old: 50 yards (2 lengths of pool)
To view an illustration of how a snake swim works for each age group, click HERE.
BIKE COURSE
The bike course is NOT closed to vehicle traffic. Police will be controlling traffic and course marshals will be directing participants. It is the responsibility of the participant to know and follow the official course, complete the required number of loops, and obey all traffic laws and instructions from police and course marshals. Parents are prohibited from running or riding a bike alongside their triathlete. Participants are responsible for keeping track of the number of loops ridden.
Required Distances
13–15 yr old: Three loops (6 miles)
11–12 yr old: two loops (4 miles)
9–10yr old: one loop (2 miles)
7–8 yr old: one loop (2 miles)
To view the bike course map, click HERE.
RUN COURSE
The run course is along sidewalks and paved paths. All turns will be clearly marked and staffed with course marshals. It is the responsibility of the triathlete to know and follow the official course, complete the required distance, and obey all traffic laws and instructions from police and course marshals. Parents are prohibited from running or riding a bike alongside their triathlete at any time.
13–15 and 11–12 age groups will be given an orange wristband and a race bib with an orange dot sticker at packet pick up. 9–10 and 7–8 age groups will be given a blue wristband and a race bib with a blue dot sticker at packet pick up.
Required Distances
13–15 yr old: 1 mile
11–12 yr old: 1 mile
9–10yr old: 1/2 mile
7–8 yr old: 1/2 mile
To view the run course map, click HERE.
WATER STATIONS
A water station will be set up mile .25. The 13–15 and 11–12 age groups will pass this water station twice. 9–10 and 7–8 age groups will be turning around just past this water station.