A host of talented young athletes from the Greater Providence YMCAs participated in the annual Race4Chase Triathlon Sunday, Aug. 11, at Fort Adams State Park in Newport.

The event, in its 11th year, is organized in collaboration with the CMAK Sandy Hook Memorial Foundation, which honors the memory of Chase Kowalski. The Race4Chase program "aims to provide children with a safe, healthy and positive outlet through the sport of triathlon."

Prior to being a victim in the Sandy Hook school shooting massacre, Chase had asked his parents to participate in youth triathlon, hence from which the annual event was inspired.

“We are incredibly honored to see the spirit of Chase live on through the Race4Chase program,” said Rebecca Kowalski, Chase's mother and president of the CMAK Sandy Hook Memorial Foundation. “This triathlon not only empowers children to achieve their personal best, but also brings communities together to celebrate health, fitness, and the resilience of our youth.”

Participants represented the various branches of the Greater Providence Y, including the local Bayside Family YMCA in Barrington. The Cranston Y and Kent County Y, came together with the YMCA of Pawtucket's MacColl Branch, Newport County Y and Ocean Community Y’s Westerly-Pawcatuck Branch. Additionally, youth athletes from Connecticut's Hale YMCA of Greater Hartford and the Middleboro Branch of the Old Colony YMCA also participated in this event.

The Race4Chase program spanned a training period of six weeks, where the aspiring triathletes received coaching, physical training and the other skills necessary to compete.

The program, at the Bayside Y under the auspices of Senior Aquatics Director Laurie Pansa, "emphasized the values of perseverance, discipline and sportsmanship while fostering a sense of community among participants."

Pansa was assisted locally by members of Bayside's fitness staff and "junior coaches," who are past participants in triathlon training that have aged-out of the program.

The triathlon included swimming, biking, and running segments, designed to challenge and engage children of all skill levels. The distances in each age group were as follows: 5-10-year-olds — 50 yard swim, 2 mile bike, 3/4 mile run; 11-13-year-olds —100 yard swim, 2 mile bike and 3/4 mile run.

“We’re honored to participate in the Race4Chase Triathlon and bring together young athletes from across our Association,” said Karen Santilli, CEO of the Greater Providence YMCA. “This event is a heartfelt tribute to Chase Kowalski’s memory and helps to reinforce important values like health, wellness, and community spirit in our youth.”

A total of 168 youngsters total participated in the event. Two of the 29 members of the Bayside YMCA contingent based out of Barrington were from East Providence. Libby Alleman competed 8-10-year-old division and Sofia Vasconcelos in the 11-year-old grouping. Allen completed the swim, run and bike portions in a total time of 19 minutes, 6 seconds. Vasconcelos finished the three disciplines in 19:13.

Bayside's entry list was the second largest of the nine local YMCA branches to take part. Kent County led the way with 32 athletes.

"The kids caught a great day. It's an amazing program," said Ryan Queenan, the Executive Director for Bayside Family Y and an East Providence resident.

The rest of the Bayside team, made up mostly of Barrington residents, included: Tyler Argo, Wesley Argo, Jessica Dacosta, Elodie Dujardin, Gabriel Dujardin, Violet Dujardin, Anna Elliott, Katherine Elliott, Thomas Elliott, Cole Ferguson, Zane Kiely, Mary Lane, Patricia Lane, Westley Lane, Carter Lee, Adeline Lin, Penelope Lin, Brendan Philippe, William Rahn, Emmett Rattle, Josephine Rattle, Abigail Rotondo, Jenna Rotondo, Luna Rubin, Ruth Spencer, Jett Talbert, Jobson Talbert.

A highlight for the local entry, Abigail Rotondo led a first-sixth-place finish for the Bayside 11-year-old female group, finishing with a time of 15:31. She was second overall in the 11-13 bracket behind the winning time of 15:26 by Annika Aboyoun Stein.

Penelope Lin, was the second Bayside 11, finishing third overall in at 16:12. Katherine Elliot, 11, was third and fourth, respectively, at 16:40.

Bayside's Josephine Rattle was the top 12-year-old in the grouping and fifth overall in 17:30. Jenna Rotondo, 13, was second for her age and sixth overall in 18:23. She was followed both in age and overall by Violet Dujardin with a time of 18:24.

Vasconcelos was the next Bayside 11 and ninth overall followed by fellow 11 Elodie Dujardin in 10th overall at 19:23. Luna Rubin completed the top-six sweep of Bayside 11s in 14th overall at 20:20.