Christmas came early this year for 23 Colorado Springs kids, who have been selected to participate in a training program sponsored by USA Triathlon, Wal-Mart and the Rocky Mountain Region High Performance Triathlon Team.

The 7- to 15-year-olds gathered at Memorial Park in downtown Colorado Springs on Tuesday to receive a bundle of equipment they will use to train for and race in the USAT National Junior Olympic Festival on August 8. The equipment package included a new bike, bike helmet, sunglasses, goggles, shorts, a shirt, and sneakers, all donated by area Wal-Mart stores. Each kid who takes part in the race will also receive a $50 Wal-Mart gift certificate.

In addition, the program includes free registration for the race in August, a year membership to USA Triathlon, and free training by the Rocky Mountain Region High Performance Triathlon Team. The kids have already joined the team for twice-a-week training that is giving them the ins and outs of triathlon racing.

The program is designed to help kids in need and encourage them to get involved in the healthy lifestyle of triathlon, said USAT National Events Director Jeff Dyrek. “We are excited to work with an organization like Wal-Mart that has a history of giving back to the local community. Together, we hope to encourage kids to live a healthy lifestyle and capitalize on Colorado Springs’ reputation of being one of the most active cities in the country.”

Grace Rodriguez, mother of 8-year-old Alejandro, says her son was excited when he heard about the program at his school. “This is his first time [competing in a triathlon], and he couldn’t wait to get his new bike.”

Another 8-year-old, Griffin Buck, has already caught the triathlon bug. He loves training with the local team, and is even doing his first race next week in advance of the USAT event, says his mother, Sandra. “It’s a great opportunity for the kids. When we saw it on the news, my husband said ‘sign him up.’ Luckily he was selected,” she said. “He’s been practicing really hard.”

The kids were selected to the program through connections with a local school district and outreach through the media.