When I moved to North Penn school district 6 years ago I only knew a few people, Stacey Miller being one of them. I was 9 months pregnant and had no idea I was about to hit the jackpot when it came to raising my kids in this community.
I had been a triathlete since 2010, completely obsessed with all things endurance related and becoming a mom didn’t change that. After I had my son Jack, I signed up for Lake Placid Ironman with a goal to finish before he turned one years old. Covid happened, and a ton changed, including that race being cancelled. That extra year lead me to becoming a Sonic Athlete, and really starting to see what Stacey and the team was all about.
I saw posts and started hearing locally of a kids triathlon at North Penn High School. Of course rehash sparked my interest because Jack was almost 2 and running and riding along with me in the stroller and bike chariot. He was starting to get it, and I kept paying attention to the IronKnights. I can’t remember how I ended up at a Parents Support Group meeting, but I am forever grateful I took the leap and got involved even before my kids entered the school district.
Iron Knights triathlon is a single day race where kids in K-6th grade complete a swim, bike and run. The distances increase as the kids get older, and since around 2000 kids register, the time of day they start the race changes as they get older. There are 13 elementary schools in North Penn, and each physical ed department get the kids involved, excited and encourages their school to sign up for the race. Registration is for North Penn K-6th graders only, and the race is put on by the school district, at the North Penn High School.
The Iron Knights Parent Support Group was started 13 years ago when the race began as a way for the parents to support the event. Meetings begin in October to start the planning for the race in May. The first few meetings I sat back and absorbed all the different committees, race day questions and feedback, parking logistics and fundraising efforts they undertake. There is a representative from the phys ed department there to update everyone on the race side of things, and the parent volunteers collaborate with him to make sure they feel supported as well as discuss what items they can raise funds for to enhance the race day experience.
The most impressive thing this group has done is raise money over the years to support kids entry into the race. The IKPSG has a scholarship committee that covers race entry, swim suit and goggles, running sneakers. They also work to get bikes and new helmets donated so those kids can have everything they need to participate in the event. I personally have assisted in organizing helmet donations and volunteering at scholarship nights and it is one of the most rewarding experiences I have been a part of.
Another way the IKPSG raises money is through merchandise sales, and the last 2 years I was able to be the merchandise chair and coordinate the swag, race day shirts, and volunteer shirts for race day. There is a storage unit we use to store some of the merch, bike donations, water bottles, race day equipment and more that is maintained by this group.
Outside of the parents support group, Sonic Endurance runs a 6 week training program 3 nights per week that kids can register for. We receive permits from 3 elementary schools and have K-2 and 3-6 on separate nights to train for the race. The kids learn the rules of the triathlon, bicycle safety, how to transition, play lots of running games and we even get the big kids out on the roads to build endurance. It is incredible to see how far these kids come in just 6 weeks with their running endurance to their bike handling skills to getting many off training wheels and riding their bikes freely. We have seen little siblings go from the sidelines to the practices, and tiny triathletes move up to the older kid group. We have also welcomed back kids in middle school and high school who were former Iron Knights and want to give back to the program. They help us bike and run with the current kids, and total win for all. The week before the race we host one big practice with all 3 groups, around 100 kids, and have our final push to get them ready to race!
My son Jack has been coming to these practices since he was 2 to watch mom coach the big kids. The way that he naturally observed everything and wanted to start riding bikes and run with mom has been so incredible for me as a parent. He started participating in practices last year and this year he will officially take on his first Iron Knights triathlon as a kindergartener! Thanks to Iron Knights being such an exciting and successful event in our community, so many kids have been able to enjoy swimming, biking, running, being outside, friendly competition with their peers, and to be a part of something so foundational as they grow.
Race day is Saturday May 17th where all 2000 kids with their families, friends and teachers will come together to complete in the race. This large scale operation is made possible by the school districts faculty and the volunteers who give up a weekend to help these kids become triathletes. I encourage anyone local to North Penn to give a few hours to these kids, and be a part of something so unique and so magical, you might just be inspired yourself to get out there! Stay tuned for the moment I have been waiting for as an “Iron Mo
