What began with a modest number of participants 13 years ago swelled to more than 150 entries in this summer’s Arlington Triathlon.
The event is for youth participants ages 7 to 15. The triathlon begins with a swim in the Washington-Liberty High School aquatics center, followed by a flat bike ride on a closed loop course and finishes with a run on some streets near the school but mostly on the outdoor W-L track.
The triathlon is produced by Triathlon Family USA, Inc., the organization that manages the 22-year-old Arlington Triathlon Club, which holds regular competitions and camps.
The intent of the effort is to encourage youth to have fun while participating in physical activities.
Those competing were separated into age groups and genders. There were four age groups, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 and 13-15, with each starting at different times.
The distances differed for each age group, with the longest for the 13-15 athletes, a 250-yard swim, a 5.6-mile bike and a 1.4-mile run.
The triathlon is held in the memory of Anne Viviani, a longtime Arlington resident for years was a highly accomplished adult triathlete. She represented the U.S. in 37 world championships and three times won the long-course world championship.
Viviani, who also competed in duathlons, was inducted into the Arlington Sports Hall of Fame the year following her death.
Viviani died in 2018 while traveling home from the U.S. National Duathlon Championship race in South Carolina when a deer struck the car she and her husband Donn were riding in.
This year’s event was held in June. Bob Kovacs and his wife, Mary Ellen Dawley, teamed to produce a 4-minute video of the triathlon.
Donn Viviani briefly speaks in the video, saying how much Anne would have enjoyed the event.
Melissa Merson, herself a triathlete, was heavily involved in organizing the triathlon. She used to compete in such events with Anne Viviani.
“Swimming, biking and running are things that pretty much anyone can participate in,” Merson said. “And it’s fun for people of all ages.”
A number of the young athletes who participated spoke on the video about their favorite parts of the triathlon.
CLICK HERE for results from the 2026 event
