PETAWAWA KIDS OF STEEL TRIATHLON - SAFETY GUIDELINES

Petawawa Kids of Steel race is fully sanctioned and insured by Triathlon Ontario. Please review the following information to keep all athletes, spectators and volunteers safe.

ATHLETES AGE 4-5

Athletes in the 4-5 age category may be accompanied by one parent or guardian through the entire race course. Parents or guardians are allowed to “take turns” or switch places when accompanying the child in each portion of the race. For example, one parent/guardian could do the Swim portion with their child while another parent/guardian waits for them in Transition to switch in for the Bike portion, and then the first parent/guardian could switch back to complete the Run portion and cross the finish line with the child. Please choose what works best for you and your child.

THE VOLUNTEER CREW

Our Volunteer Crew is there to help ensure the safety of everyone on the day. Volunteers will be stationed along the race course and around the event site. Please respect their guidance and don’t hesitate to ask for their assistance.

FIRST AID

In the event of a medical emergency, please inform a Volunteer Crew member who will help in obtaining medical assistance from the First Aid station as needed.

ATHLETE SAFETY

Athletes must exit the pool area safely (no running on the pool deck) as they make their way to the Transition Zone.
Only parents of the athletes in the 4-5 age category will be allowed in the Transition Zone during the race. For athletes age 6 and up, Volunteers will be present to assist them however needed (i.e. tying shoe laces, buckling helmets, etc.).
Athletes must cover their torsos for the Bike and Run portions of the race by either their swimsuits or shirts and also must have their bib numbers attached to the front.
Athletes must wear a helmet with a fully buckled chin strap and use a bike that is in good working order for the Bike portion of the race. Regular bikes, tricycles, balance bikes, or bikes with training wheels, are all permitted. If you are unsure about the condition of your child’s bike, we recommend having it inspected by a professional bike shop.
Helmets must be buckled before removing the bike from the rack. Athletes must then safely walk their bikes from the Transition Zone to the Bike mount/dismount area, where they will be directed by Volunteers where and when to get on and off their bikes.
Athletes must wear their helmets fully buckled at all times for the Bike portion until they have fully dismounted from their bikes and returned them to the rack.
Athletes must wear closed-toe running shoes – no other footwear is permitted.

SPECTATORS

Spectators must stay off the race course. Please remain within the designated spectator areas to keep the course clear and safe for athletes.
If a spectator needs to cross the race course for any reason, a Volunteer must be informed and he/she will ensure a safe crossing for the spectator without disruption to the athletes.

ROWANS LAW - CONCUSSION AWARENESS

Rowan's Law is an Ontario Law to prevent injury and death from concussion. It was created due to the preventable death of Rowan Stringer, a high-school rugby player who died in 2013 due to a second concussion before a first was fully healed. A second concussion when a first is not fully healed can be quickly fatal due to swelling in the brain. Concussion symptoms are vomiting, difficulty concentrating or remembering, fatigue, confusion, mood swings, blurred vision, balance problems, headache, and loss of consciousness.

Do not race if you suspect a concussion.
Athletes with a suspected concussion may not continue the race (DNF). Officials, and race volunteers must inform the athlete that they cannot continue.
Athletes under 26 with a suspected concussion must obtain clearance from a Doctor or Nurse Practitioner before returning to sport.
All suspected concussions must be reported to Triathlon Ontario.
As part of the Triathlon Ontario agreement, all participants agree to abide by Rowan's Law and the Triathlon Ontario Concussion Policy.

Further information and resources can be found here.

Petawawa Kids of Steel Triathlon July 5, 2026