Addie Schuster, 6, spent her summer to date swimming, biking and running to train for her first triathlon on Saturday.

“I have always wanted to do a triathlon, and she’s a really good swimmer and biker, so we thought it would just be a fun event,” said Kelly Schuster, Addie’s mom. After completing the race, Addie said she had a great time, with biking being her favorite part.

Addie was one of about 200 children ages 2 to 12, who participated in the YMCA’s 13th annual Strong Kids Triathlon at the YMCA of Northern Colorado, 2800 Dagny Way, in Lafayette. Children participated by age group in what was billed as a kid-friendly course.

One of the top “kid-friendly” features in the triathlon related to the rules — or lack of them. In the untimed event, all participants received a medal; and the primary goal was for kids to complete it. The kids in the pool could use pool noodles and kickboards for the swimming portion; and in the bicycle portion the race, children could choose to ride bikes or scooters.

“We knew that there was a need for a race for really young kids that didn’t follow all the explicit rules of a triathlon, and so there was a small group of us that started this race,” said Dave Sheanin, who founded the Strong Kids Triathlon in 2010.

Sheanin said the “fun factor” goes up when participants don’t worry as much about the rules.

“It’s about having fun and moving through the course on whatever it takes to get there,” Sheanin said.

Very young participants completed the swimming portion with the help of lifeguards, for example, parents raced alongside the kids and the event was filled with laughter and cheering. Members of the CU Triathlon Team volunteered and handed out medals at the finish line, organizers said.

“I think it’s important to have those athletes giving back, and the younger kids can see where this event could take them in the future, that they could be a future Olympian and see themselves in those athletes,” said Megan Lancaster-Cavallo, the event’s executive director.

Wyatt Goerl, 10, was especially excited to hear that professional athletes were in attendance. Having participated in triathlons in Manhattan before moving to Colorado, Wyatt was eager to join the Lafayette event and have a fun time.

Lancaster-Cavallo hopes that from this event, the kids learn that they can do anything and that anything is possible.

“You’re 2 years old, and you can complete a triathlon. You’re 12 years old. and you can complete a triathlon. To believe in themselves, to know that they are strong enough to bike, run, and swim all in one day,” Lancaster-Cavallo said.