12th Annual Tampa Bay Kids Triathlon

Event: 12th Annual Tampa Bay Kids Triathlon at Adventure Island
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 7:15 AM
Parking Address: 4241 E. Bougainvillea Ave, Tampa, FL 33612. Follow signs to lot.

Entry Fee: 

• 1/14/2026 - 2/16/2026 - $45.00
• 2/16/2026 - 3/31/2026 - $50.00 
• 4/1/2026 - 5/8/2026 - $55.00 

Entry fees are non-refundable – no exceptions

Registration fees apply

All registered participants will receive a complimentary “Stay & Play” ticket to Adventure Island (valid on race day only). Please do not add a 'Stay & Play' ticket for registered race participants. Additional Adventure Island Stay & Play tickets available for purchase during registration at a discounted price ($42). Sales for these tickets will close at 11:59 PM on Friday, May 8.

Registration fee also includes a participant t-shirt, a finisher’s medal, and other 'swag bag' items. 

In an effort to allow for more participants, we have moved away from two separate age divisions to a three-wave format. The three waves will be categorized by age range so that participants are still competing alongside others in their age group. Also, as a reminder, there will no longer be a post-race trophy ceremony. The Tampa Bay Kids Triathlon is a FUN-raising event with a focus on fun, finishing and fundraising. In recent years, the trophy ceremony has overshadowed our mission of creating an unintimidating and exciting experience for all while helping spread Gavin Lambert’s “finisher’s spirit” and supporting Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA), our race beneficiary. All funds traditionally allocated to trophies will be repurposed and included in the overall charitable donation to FARA.

In an effort to allow for more participants, we will have a three-wave format. The three waves will be categorized by age range, so participants are still competing alongside others in their age group. Additionally, The Tampa Bay Kids Triathlon is a FUN-raising event with a focus on fun, finishing, and fundraising. Our goal is to create an uplifting, welcoming experience that carries forward Gavin Lambert’s ‘finisher’s spirit’ and helps advance the life-changing work of our race beneficiary, the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA). All funds will be included in the overall charitable donation to FARA.

Packet pick-up will be available Friday, May 8th from 3:30 PM- 7:00 PM at Adventure Island. The registration tent is located across the street from the event parking lot on Bougainvillea Ave. We encourage you to pick up your registration packet on Friday to help eliminate congestion at check-in on race day (Saturday).

You will be able to rack your bike(s) on Friday during packet pick-up and on race day morning from 5:00 AM - 6:45 AM.

Race Day check-in and packet pick-up will open at 5:00 AM on Saturday, May 9th. The registration tent is located across the street from event parking lot on Bougainvillea Ave and inside the back gate to Adventure Island. Please note, there will not be on-site registration available on Race Day.

Athlete Briefing: The Race Director will conduct a brief information session on race day at 7:00 AM from the main stage inside the park.

Athlete Check-In: 5:00 AM on Saturday, May 9th.

On-Site Registration: Spots typically fill for this event prior to race day. In the event that capacity is reached, no on-site registration will be available. 

Race Day parking is FREE for the triathlon event only and located in the bus/overflow parking lot located off Bougainvillea Ave. across from Adventure Island’s employee parking lot. An officer/crossing guard will provide safety while crossing street and directional assistance to registration. If you and your family opt to stay and play at Adventure Island you will be asked to re-park your cars at the main visitor parking lot located at the main entrance of the park.

Transition: The swim-to-bike transition and the bike-to-run transition are in the same place. Each participant will have a spot to rack his/her bike and set up necessary equipment.

Bike Techs: Bike Technicians from David's World Cycle will be available in transition and on the bike course if need be.

Swim Start: 1st wave will start at 7:15 AM, the 2nd wave will follow behind (expected start time is 7:25 AM), and the 3rd wave will follow (expected start time is 7:35 AM). The 2nd and 3rd wave will be staged in a waiting area near their swim until their start time. Groups of two-three athletes will start every 5 seconds.

Swim Course: No diving or running – participants must enter the water at a safe pace. Please note, the swim takes place in the Rambling Bayou (lazy river). Athletes will be swimming with the current and Lifeguards will be staged every 20-30 yards. The swim course ends at the steps leading up to Mango Joe’s concession area. Reminder: Athletes are NOT permitted to run out of the swim portion of the race. Race officials and volunteers will monitor the swim course and enforce this rule.

Noteworthy: The participants will run through sand on their way from swim finish to designated transition area. Kiddie pools will be provided for a quick rinse. We recommend participants stage a towel with their bike in the transition area.

Bike Course: The bike course is a loop through Busch Gardens’ parking lot. Both Age Divisions will do ONE bike loop (1.5 mile). The loop begins and ends at the Busch Gardens’ parking lot gates located on Linebaugh Ave. Volunteers will be on course helping direct participants. Each athlete is required to wear a helmet during the bike segment. You must have your helmet securely fastened on your head before you mount and dismount your bike. Drafting and blocking other athletes is not permitted during the race. Race officials and volunteers will monitor the bike course and enforce these rules. All participants must complete the bike course by 8:45 AM or else they will be disqualified and considered a DNF (did not finish).

Run Course: The run course is a loop in a grassy field. Both Age Divisions will do ONE run loop (0.5 mile). Volunteers will be on course helping to direct participants. You must complete the entire course and stay to the right of the cones. 

Water Stations: There will be two water stations on course. The first station will be located along the transition path (located in the sand volleyball area) from swim to bike. The second station will be located outside the transition area from bike to run.

Finish: The run course officially closes at 9:00 AM. All participants still on the course will be asked to return to the finish line/awards ceremony and considered a DNF.

Course Safety: The Tampa Bay Kids Triathlon is self-contained within the parameters of Busch Gardens and Adventure Island. There will be little to no vehicular traffic along the course, but we encourage all athletes to be aware of their surroundings, obey the instructions of traffic control officers, race directors, and volunteers. Also please be considerate of others during the competition.

Race Numbers: There are three race numbers in your race packet that you are required to display during the event. The adhesive bike number must be attached to your bike with the race number clearly visible. The adhesive helmet number must be worn on the front of your bike helmet and clearly visible. The run number must be displayed during the bike and run segment on the front of your body. Pin your run number to your shirt, swimsuit or race belt with the four safety pins provided
in your packet. You will not be able to enter the transition area until your bike and helmet number are in the specified places.

Body Marking: Body marking will be available during packet pick-up on Friday, May 8th from 3:30 PM - 7:00 PM, and again on Saturday, May 9th from 5:00 AM - 6:30 AM. You will not be permitted in the transition area on race day without your body markings. Do not apply body lotion or sunscreen until after you have your body markings. Body markings should match your bib number.

Transition Area Access:  The transition area will be open on during packet pick-up. On race day, only athletes with markings and race bibs will be allowed access to the transition area. Transition area on race day will close at 6:45 AM sharp. The transition area is expected to open when the bike course is all-clear which we anticipate will be around 8:30 AM. The Tampa Bay Kids Triathlon Race Director has the final say of when the transition area will open for equipment removal. We thank you in advance for your cooperation on this matter as athlete safety is our number one priority.

Note: NO parents/guardians are allowed in transition area before or during the race. We will have bike techs and knowledgeable volunteers to assist the athletes in transition.

Transition Area Conduct: For safety reasons, you will not be permitted to ride your bike in or out of the transition area. You must walk while in the transition area. Please be aware of other athletes as you move through the transition area and follow all instructions from race officials, bike techs and volunteers. Participants will not be allowed to exit transition until their bike helmets are securely fastened.

Timing Chips: You will receive an ankle chip on race day. DO NOT LOSE YOUR CHIP. Each chip is unique to you so do not trade your chip with another athlete. Please make sure that the number on the chip, matches your bib number. We will attach the ankle chip when the athlete arrives for body marking. The chip must be worn around either ankle prior to the start of the swim and must be worn during the entire race. Participants must return the ankle chip following the completion of the race. 

Illegal Items: Aero bars, training wheels, wheel pegs, and all musical devices/headphones are not permitted.

Special Needs Table: There will be a table set up at the swim finish for the collection of your eyeglasses, medications or other special needs items. You will be responsible for clearly marking all your items with your name and race number. You will also be responsible for leaving them at the table prior to the swim start – volunteers will guard the table and help monitor the distribution of items as you exit the lazy river.

An athlete’s official race age is his/her age on race day (May 9, 2026)

ALL athletes will follow the same course to avoid confusion (distances listed below) but will still be split into three different divisions:

1st wave: 6-8 yr olds

2nd wave: 9-11 yr olds

3rd wave: 12-14 yr olds

Course distances:

Swim: 200 meters

Bike: 1.5 miles

Run: 0.5 mile

Timing and Results: Official race results will be posted on-site near the timing tent prior to the awards presentation. Please report any discrepancy to the race director or event manager. Athletes who do not wear the timing chip during the entire event will not be scored. Please note that the clock at the finish line reflects the start time of the first swim wave.

Results: Race results will be posted at TampaBayKidsTriathlon.com immediately following the race.

Drop out or DNF “Did not Finish”: Staff and volunteers are trained to call in the DNF athlete immediately so the race directors can track the participant. Athletes and parents: please notify a race official then return your timing chip at the finish line if you drop out of the race.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Unsportsmanlike conduct or verbal abuse of any race official or volunteer during the race will not be tolerated and will result in immediate disqualification. Participants will also be disqualified if caught littering.

Please remember to bring the following on race day:

• Swimsuit
• Goggles
• Towel
• Bike
• Helmet
• Sunscreen
• Shirt
• Shorts
• Running Shoes
• Hat
• Water Bottle

*Be sure to check the weather and plan accordingly