By Jennifer Stultz
Tri-County Tribune Editor
jstultz@cherryroad.com
Kyra Kissinger of Phoenix Massage in Pratt is not one to sit still long. She likes to be moving, growing, learning, healing; and all of those are reasons why she has decided to bring a kids’ ironman triathlon event and adult sprint competition to Pratt, planned for June 22. The Gary and Jean Cromer Public Pool will be the staging ground for all parts of the event, swimming, running, and bicycling, with staggered start times for different age groups.
“There are so many cool things you can learn from something like this,” Kissinger said. “I had a difficult childhood, I’ve had some issues to deal with and struggle with PTSD to this day, but when I am running or competing, that’s where I am free. I am in control and have learned how to calm myself down. There is something about fixating on a challenge and going for it that makes it possible to heal and get past other difficulties in life. I just want to teach others and provide kids with opportunities that I wish had been shared with me earlier in life.”
Kissinger said she wanted to get the word out about the upcoming youth and sprint triathlon ahead of time so that potential competitors could start training for the event.
“You know, we as a society just quit providing kids with places they could struggle and test themselves during the COVID years,” Kissinger said. “We started doing everything for them and our kids didn’t learn how to handle problems, difficulties, or find ways to fix brokenness. Competing in swim, bike and run events gives us all a chance to confront our own skills and find ways to improve them. Also, the community support during an event like this is just so much fun.”
Kissinger said the June 22nd event in Pratt would be open to racers and runners from across the state. She said there was an extended community of people who loved to participate in these kinds of events, and she anticipated a good local turnout as well as others coming from surrounding counties, maybe from across the state, to compete.
The kids’ ironman distances for the We Tri event, as Kissinger has dubbed it, will be 200 yards swimming (in the Pratt pool), 2 miles biking (from Pratt pool parking lot on marked course that includes Third and Sixth Streets plus parks), and 1 mile running.
“It will all be dependent on Mother Nature, and sometimes that can get wild, but we will see what the day brings,” Kissinger said.
A rules meeting held April 15 and a website with QR codes presents those who would like to participate with any additional information needed to register for the event, plus ask questions.
“The thing about triathlons that is so good is that is rewarding to work hard and then look forward to the end,” Kissinger said. “I hope others will see the important aspects of that and benefit as I have.”
Kissinger is a three-time gold medal triathlete herself, and said she has plans to compete this summer in different competitions. She welcomes anyone to contact her about training for running, biking, and swimming long distances.
She can be reached at Phoenix Massage, 218 S. Main, on Facebook messenger, and by email at kyrakissinger13@gmail.com. Her business phone number is 316-670-7331.
Kissinger has also scheduled a 5K Run or walk and 1 mile fun walk for Sunday, May 25, as a benefit for the Pratt Area Humane Society. Start time is 8:30 a.m. at Lemon Park in Pratt with food trucks, music, vendors, fire trucks, face painting, and games for kids planned for after the races are over. This run is called See Spot Run and participants are invited to bring their well-behaved, leashed, dogs along to exercise with them.
