Triathlete brings his passion home to Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS ­- At the age of five, Michael Zimmerman fell in love with the triathlon, a sporting event that combines swimming, biking and running.

His first exposure was at the Pigman Triathlon in Palo. It wasn't until the age of 14, however, that Zimmerman competed in the sport himself. From there, he became dedicated to making it accessible to children with a passion like he had as a young boy.

In 2015, after working as director of the Hy-Vee IronKids Series, the IronKids National Championship and the Hy-Vee Kids Triathlon Series, Zimmerman started his own youth triathlon organization called RipRoar, which is focused on kids ages 6 to 15 and hosts events throughout the Midwest.

Zimmerman, a Cedar Rapids native and 2003 graduate of Kennedy High School, is bringing RipRoar back to Cedar Rapids for the third time, hosting an event beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, July 22, at Cherry Hill Park and Aquatic Center, 341 Stoney Point Rd. NW.

Three age divisions - 6-8, 9-11 and 12-15 - are being offered with competitors in each division racing age-appropriate distances.

Registration is available at riproarevents.com. Cost is $50 through Sunday and $55 after.

'We put on RipRoar for one reason only and that is so we can try to make an impact on the kids and do something that we feel will benefit them not just throughout the races but something they can take with them to adulthood,” Zimmerman said. 'Swimming, biking and running are all activities that don't really have a time stamp on them. You don't need other people to participate and you don't need to have much else other than a place to swim, a bicycle or a pair of running shoes.”

Zimmerman said he loves the idea that kids in Cedar Rapids have access to a sport he wanted to have access to as a child.

'This is something that is attainable and accessible for kids of all abilities and all levels of experience,” he said. 'We have everyone from kids who are super devoted to the sport of triathlon all the way down to 6-year-olds with tassels and training wheels. It is a challenge but it's one we build in such a way that every kid who starts, we get them to the finish line.”

Zimmerman said the July 22 event is a highlight on his calendar.

'I look forward to bringing my passion back to my hometown more than any other race of the year,” Zimmerman said.

l Comments: (319) 368-8538; elianna.novitch@thegazette.com

If you go

What: RipRoar Youth Triathlon Series

When: 8 a.m. Saturday, July 22.

Where: Cherry Hill Park and Aquatic Center, 341 Stoney Point Rd. NW, Cedar Rapids.

Details: Juniors (age 6-8) - swim 50 meters, bike 2 miles, run 800 meters; Intermediates (age 9-11) - swim 100 meters, bike 4 miles, run 1 mile; Seniors (age 12-15) - swim 200 meters, bike 6 miles, run 2 miles.

Register: riproarevents.com or at Cherry Hill Park from 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday, July 21.

Cost: $50 before Sunday; $55 after.