Thousands join the party as the Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids Try-athlon turns 10!

To be released: 12 December 2007

Tens of thousands of Aussie kids will come together in 2008 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRY-athlon series in Australia.

Proudly supported by the MBF Foundation, the Weet-Bix Kids TRY-athlon is a fun and challenging event combining variable distances of swimming, cycling, and running, designed to encourage kids of all abilities around the country to live a healthy, active lifestyle.

Weet-Bix TRY-athlon National Ambassador Jessicah Schipper, a World Champion and Commonwealth Games swimming gold medal winner, said the goal is for more than 40,000 children in Australia and New Zealand to take part in the 2008 series.

"All around the world Australians are known for our sporting achievements. Now it's time for Aussie kids to grab their runners, bikes and swimmers, take part in their local Weet-Bix Kids TRY-athlon and give it their best," she said.

Jessicah, the current women's 200 metre butterfly world record holder, said the events are a great way to inspire kids to get up and move in a friendly and encouraging environment where the emphasis is on enjoying exercise.

"No placings or times are recorded, and everyone who enters gets a medal. More than 60,000 Aussie kids have participated in the event since it started 10 years ago - it's a brilliant way to get active with your mates and best of all…it's great fun," she said.

Dr Christine Bennett, MBF Chief Medical Officer and Chair of the MBF Foundation Steering Committee, said the Weet-Bix Kids TRY-athlons are an important initiative to help reverse the growing number of overweight or obese children in Australia.

"Numerous studies have shown that the obesity crisis isn't just a result of poor diet, but also from low levels of physical activity due to increasingly sedentary lifestyles. The Weet-Bix Kids TRY-athlons supported by the MBF Foundation confirm for children that exercise can be enjoyable, helping set them up for a lifetime of healthy activity," Dr Bennett said.

To complement the TRY-athlons, Sanitarium Weet-Bix is introducing for the first time the TRY Schools Program, delivered by Kidz Bodz, the largest program of its kind in Australia.

Kidz Bodz creator Jackie De Koning said the program, delivered in schools, aims to educate children on healthy eating and exercise practices, helping bring about positive behavioural change and encouraging a healthy start to life.

"With Kidz Bodz the emphasis is giving kids healthy living information in a fun way. It's thrilling to see them enjoy and pick up on the messages and know that they are on the road to taking responsibility for their own wellbeing and healthy future," she said.

Running from February to April, the Weet-Bix Kids TRY-athlon is open to all kids aged seven (7) to 15:

1. 7-10 year-olds: 100m swim, 3km cycle, 500m run;
2. 11-15 year-olds: 200m swim, 6km cycle, 1km run;

In 2008 the Australian series takes in nine locations across capital cities and major regional areas between February and April. Registrations close two weeks before each event. Limited places are available, so register today! To view the dates, locations, sign-up and get more information, go to www.weetbix.com.au.

To find out more about Kidz Bodz programs visit www.kidzbodz.com.au.

Event Dates & Locations for 2008 Series

¹Better Health Channel, Victorian Government

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