Ouachita's kinesiology department to co-host kids’ triathlon May 3

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May 02, 2024 - Ashleigh Estes

Ouachita Baptist University’s Department of Kinesiology will partner with Community Connections to host the first Arkadelphia Kids’ Triathlon on Friday, May from 5-7 p.m. at the Sturgis Physical Education Center on Ouachita’s campus.

Hallie Wallace, instructor in the kinesiology department at Ouachita, teaches a course that focuses on adaptive kinesiology. Wallace said her work gives her a natural affinity for the mission of Community Connections and its parent program, Pediatrics Plus, a pediatric outpatient therapy provider that creates spaces for disabled children to participate in sports and athletic competitions. Community Connections invited Ouachita’s kinesiology department to join them in hosting the triathlon.

During this event, the kids from the Arkadelphia Pediatrics Plus program will have the opportunity to compete in a 50-yard swim, a 2-mile bike race and a half-mile run. Every child will have a kinesiology student assisting them through the events to help each child according to their ability. Wallace has worked with Pediatrics Plus to gather specific equipment to meet each child’s needs so they can participate fully and safely.

“People with disabilities are so often overlooked,” Wallace said. “It’s so important for the community to provide these opportunities for these kids. There are so few opportunities like this for kids who struggle to participate in other sports, which makes the Arkadelphia Kids’ Triathlon all the more exciting for the community to be a part of.”

While the participants will be limited to the kids of Pediatrics Plus, Wallace encourages anyone in the community of Arkadelphia to come out and support the kids by cheering them on in their events.

She said she wants to foster a community of love and support through this event and hopes anyone interested will “just show up and love on these kids!”

To volunteer for the triathlon, contact Hallie Wallace at [email protected] or (870) 245-5423. To learn more about Community Connections and the Arkadelphia Kids’ Triathlon, visit communityconnectionsar.org/kids-triathlon.