With many healthy-living activities taking place in Albert Lea, there is a new initiative in place for children desiring to promote healthy choices early in life.

In conjunction with the Fit Forever program, the first-ever triathlon for kids will take place June 6 beginning at the City Pool.

The Land Between the Lakes Kids Triathlon is the brainchild of Dennis Dieser, Ross Williams and Lynn Scheevel, who all are triathlon veterans. Scheevel and Williams recently competed in the Land Between the Lakes Triathlon at Edgewater Park, and Dieser was one of the organizers of the event.

The Land Between the Lakes Kids Triathlon is designed for children ages 7 to 14 and coincides with the Fit Forever program that was created earlier this year.

Fit Forever is a cooperative venture of Albert Lea Medical Center, Freeborn County Public Health department, the Albert Lea School District, Albert Lea Community Education and the Albert Lea Family Y to promote healthy lifestyles among children and to prevent childhood obesity. It started last September and held a number of fit events where children could earn stamps for their Fit Forever passport. At the end of the program, participants turn in their passports and enter a drawing for the grand prize of a Nintendo Wii. The organizers felt an end-of-the-year event would be punctuated with a triathlon.

The Land Between the Lakes Kids Triathlon is not limited to those who participated in the Fit Forever program. The triathlon is open to anyone, even on the day of the event. The triathlon will begin at 9 a.m. June 6 at the City Pool and will consist of a swim, bike ride and run with varying distances based on the child’s age.

Distances will range from a swim of one length of the pool for 7- and 8-year-olds to four lengths for 13- to 14-year- olds. The bike portion will range from 1 mile for 7- and 8-year-olds to 4 miles for 13- and 14-year-olds and the run ranges from a quarter mile for 7- and 8-year-olds to 1 mile for 13- and 14-year-olds. Races can be done as relay teams.

The entry fee is $10 per participant and $30 for each team. Each participant must have a signed registration form and wear a bike helmet. Checks can be made out to Kids Triathlon and sent with forms to 2021 W. Main St., Albert Lea.

All participants will receive a T-shirt and finisher’s medal if they register before Sunday.