3 Generations Of Family To Compete In Mpls Aquatennial Triathlon

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The Aquatennial is nothing new for the city of Minneapolis, but officials are bringing a new event to the festivities this year.

Lifetime Fitness is sponsoring a triathlon at Lake Nokomis on Saturday, and one Twin Cities family will have three generations worth participating in it.

This weekend, thousands of athletes will migrate to Lake Nokomis for the Lifetime Fitness Triathlon.

Among the masses will be a group huddled together lead by Rod Wartick.

"I'm 70 years old, and I'm going for my second triathlon," Wartick said.

"I did this event about six years ago with my dad who was about 64 at the time. And he said he was going to do it again when he was 70 because he wants to see 70 on his leg," said Kevin Wartick, his son. "So he and I said we were going to do it."

Inspired by their plight, Kevin's sister, neice and two of his own kids pledged to take on the triathlon too. That's three generations of Warticks and a total of six, ages 13 to 70.

"I'm a little nervous how my kids will do. My wife is extremely nervous about how my kids will do," Kevin said.

"We're going to stay together the whole race and finish it together," said Mac Wartick.

With a quarter-mile swim, followed by a 15-mile bike ride and wrapped up with a three-mile run. There will be many challenges along the way, and the kids are pretty clear about which part will be the hardest.

"Swimming, definitely swimming," they said.

"My biggest difficulty will be getting my kids up because they're not used to that. They'll finish, they'll be fine," Kevin said. "For us it's not a race, it's an accomplishment."

"I'm looking forward to it, especially with three generations. I think it will be a lot of fun," said Rod Wartick. "But I will be glad when it's over."