The

triathlon is perhaps the most grueling sporting event

ever created.

The event

starts with a swim, is followed by a bike ride and

finishes with a road race. The only thing to make it

easier is to know you have people behind you, rooting you

on.

Perhaps

that is why the Jubb family has been so successful in the

Peachtree City Youth Triathlon. Kenny, Marie and Angela

Jubb of Peachtree City have been involved in the race

during the past two years. Kenny, 15, has raced in the

triathlon since its inception. Marie, 8, placed fifth

last year, while Angela, 10, and Kenny each placed first.

The Jubbs

train nearly every night for the two months leading up to

the race. Kenny tends to train on his own, biking six to

12 miles in fast sprints and running with much longer

legs than his sisters. They are an athletic bunch,

though, each swimming a stint for the Pacers and playing

basketball and soccer.

Kenny swims

for Starr's Mill's swim team and hopes to run for Starr's

Mill's cross country team next year. He plans to rejoin

the Southern Crescent Aquatic Team as well. He is also

working toward becoming an Eagle Scout and plans to run

in the Peachtree City Classic in the fall.

The

Peachtree City Youth Triathlon is the largest youth

triathlon not part of a series in the Southeast. There

have been entrants from all over the region, including

North Carolina, South Carolina and Alabama. The day

starts early with check-in at 6:30 a.m. and the races

beginning shortly after 7:30. The race features more than

300 children competing in many different age and gender

groups.

The Jubbs

also have lots of advice to offer to those who may not

have run in the triathlon before. Marie finds the running

to be the hardest part. "It's the last part and you

are all tired out," she explains. Angela feels that

the biking is the most challenging part of the race, due

to the hills, while Kenny feels that the transfer from

swimming to biking can be the hardest part of the race.

"Last

year, I went from the pool to the bike and my chain came

off. I thought it was fixed, but then I flipped over the

handlebars," said Kenny. "The year before that

I slipped a gear and my feet slipped off the

pedals."

The one

thing they can all agree on, though, is to keep

practicing, try your best, have fun and never give up.

The

Peachtree City Youth Triathlon will be Saturday, June 3.

The race starts at 7:30 a.m. at Glenloch Recreation Area

and is open to children 7-15. Cost of the race is $18 and

the deadline for registration is May 23. There will be a

swim qualifier May 18 from 6-8 p.m. at the Kedron pool

for any child who has not competed in the youth

triathlon. Call Teri Besch at 770-785-2595 for

information.