An ‘Ironman’ for kids also raises funds for public schools

Courtesy / Elusive Photography Children age 5-8 get ready for the start.

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Amy and Tom Landry, owners of Benchmark Real Estate in Portland, are also multi-sport athletes who have watched their daughter train since she was little.

“When at 4 years old she wanted to race, too, I realized there was nothing like the adult races for her. So we created one,” Amy Landry told Mainebiz.

That was Portland’s only multisport race for children, the Portland Kids Duathlon, which boasts a run, bike, run format that’s fun and approachable.

"Now six years later, we’ve introduced close to 1,000 kids to duathlon racing and raised over $60,000 for the Foundation for Portland Public Schools,” said Amy.

This year’s race will be held with both an in-person and a virtual option on July 23.

Presented by Benchmark, the race is designed to give young people ages 3-12 an opportunity to participate in the fast-growing world of multi-sport racing. It includes a bike-only event for the youngest athletes as well as those with special needs.

Proceeds benefit the Foundation for Portland Public Schools, which supports students and teachers through educational enrichment, classroom innovation and community engagement.

The Portland Kids Duathlon is a USA Triathlon sanctioned event, which means it’s insured and follows a uniform set of rules, with safety plans, course maps and event details submitted for review by USA Triathlon staff.

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