Ironman weekend starts with kids fun runs

SANDUSKY — More than 100 kids and parents kicked off the weekend's competitions by participating in the Ironkids fun runs on Saturday. The sky in downtown Sandusky was gloomy with the threat of rain, but the precipitation held off long enough until the final competitor crossed the finish line. Ironkids is a series of three foot races for kids that are run before Ironman triathlons. Three race lengths were run: • Toddler Dot Trot, ages 1 to 3 • Half-mile run, ages 3 to 8 • 1-mile run, ages 5 to 17 While most of the toddlers finished their runs in seconds, some had to be coaxed along by parents. Finishers of all three races received completion medals with the Ironkids logo and mascots emblazoned on them. Ironman 70.3 Ohio Registration and packet pickup for Sunday's triathlon continued at Ironman Village on Jackson Street Pier after the Ironkids runs. Participants in the triathlon will swim 1.2 miles in Sandusky Bay, then venture on a 56-mile bicycle trek that takes them across Erie and Sandusky counties. The final transition moves athletes from cycling to running a half-marathon through downtown Sandusky streets. Competitors will have eight and a half hours to complete the 70.3-mile course. The race starts at Jackson Street Pier at 6 a.m. on Sunday. Ironman Village, including the apparel store, will be open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. An awards ceremony will occur at the pier starting at 3:30 p.m. This is the first year an Ironman triathlon has happened in Sandusky. Ironman Group and the city have an agreement that will see the race stay in Sandusky until at least 2024.