As part of the 15th Beijing Olympics City Sports and Cultural Festival, a triathlon designed for youngsters kicked off in Changping district on Sunday.

The event fully considers the physical characteristics of teenagers of different age groups and has set up different competition categories according to their age, namely U9, U12 and U15.

In the U9 category, participants are required to finish a 300m swim, a 6.4km bike ride and a 1.6km run. For the U12 and U15 groups, the challenge includes a 300m swim, an 8km bike ride and a 1.6km run.

A total of 500 teenagers have signed up for this mini competition.

The triathlon has been held for three consecutive years, aiming to allow young athletes to experience Olympic culture, inherit the Olympic spirit and gain a special competition experience.

With the event being held year after year and the continuous improvement in the quality of the competition, the race has become an important sporting event in Beijing that is widely followed by teenagers and parents, with registration spots quickly filled up once released. Due to its enduring brand influence, many teenagers from cities beyond Beijing have signed up to participate this year.

Since its inception in 2010 by the Beijing Olympic City Development Association, the Beijing Olympics City Sports and Cultural Festival has successfully held 14 editions in a row.

Through a series of diverse sports activities, the festival not only promotes the dissemination of the Olympic spirit and culture but also plays a positive role in enhancing the overall level of national fitness in China.