Race4Chase Youth Triathlon 2026: Fort Adams Event Honors Sandy Hook Victim Chase Kowalski

Every August, a remarkable event unfolds at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island. Young athletes — many of whom never envisioned themselves as triathletes — dive into Narragansett Bay, pedal with determination, and cross a finish line that signifies much more than the end of a race. They carry with them the memory of a child who cherished the very activities they are engaging in.

On Sunday, August 9, 2026, the Newport County YMCA and the CMAK Foundation will co-host the annual Race4Chase Youth Triathlon at Fort Adams State Park. This event gathers young athletes from YMCAs across Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut for the culmination of a summer-long training program — built on swimming, biking, running, and the belief that every child is capable of more than they imagine.

This event is more than just a race-day spectacle. It is the finish line of a journey that began weeks earlier, when hundreds of young people laced up their sneakers, strapped on helmets, and dove into pools — many for the first time with a triathlon goal in mind. Behind every stroke and pedal is the memory of a boy named Chase Kowalski.

The Origin Story: Turning Tragedy Into Purpose

The Race4Chase program was established in memory of Chase Kowalski, one of the children lost in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy in December 2012. Chase loved swimming, biking, and running — a natural-born triathlete in spirit, even at his young age.

Rather than let that love fade into grief, the CMAK Foundation and Newport County YMCA transformed it into something living and forward-moving: a youth triathlon program that teaches children to swim, bike, run, eat well, and work as a team. Chase's passions became the blueprint for empowering a generation of young athletes across three states.

That transformation — from unspeakable loss to purposeful action — is what makes Race4Chase unlike almost any other youth sports event you will encounter.

More Than a Race: The Philosophy Behind Race4Chase

Ask Mike Miller, CEO of the Newport County YMCA, what Race4Chase is really about, and he will not mention finish times or podiums.

“Race4Chase is about so much more than a race. It’s about giving kids the opportunity to discover their potential, build healthy habits, and experience the incredible feeling of accomplishing something they once thought was impossible.”
— Mike Miller, CEO, Newport County YMCA

That philosophy shapes every element of the program. Participants do not just train for race day — they build a foundation across five key areas:

• 🏊 Swimming — Open-water confidence and technique
• 🚴 Biking — Endurance and handling skills
• 🏃 Running — Pacing and mental toughness
• 🥗 Nutrition education — Fueling their bodies the right way
• 🤝 Teamwork — Encouraging peers and building community

This multi-sport, whole-child approach is what separates youth triathlon training from traditional single-sport programs. Kids who might burn out — or feel excluded — from competitive soccer or baseball often thrive in an environment where the only competitor that truly matters is the version of themselves from last week.

A Summer-Long Journey to the Starting Line

The August 9 event does not happen in a vacuum. It is the culmination of a summer-long preparation program that unfolds at YMCA locations across Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.

Throughout the summer, participants train progressively in all three disciplines. Coaches and volunteers guide young athletes through each stage, building skills and — just as importantly — building belief. For many kids, the hardest part of triathlon training is not the swim or the run. It is convincing themselves they belong at the starting line.

By the time race day arrives at Fort Adams, these young athletes have already done the hard work. The event itself becomes a celebration of everything they have accomplished — a chance to demonstrate their growth in front of family, friends, and a community that showed up to cheer them on.

Race Day at Fort Adams State Park

Fort Adams State Park is one of the most iconic venues in New England, sitting at the southern tip of Aquidneck Island with sweeping views of Newport Harbor. It is a fitting backdrop for an event that honors both resilience and community.

The waterfront location provides ideal conditions for the swimming component, while the park's open grounds accommodate the biking and running courses. For families making a day of it, Fort Adams offers plenty of space to gather, cheer, and soak in the atmosphere.

Key event details:

Detail	Info
Date	Sunday, August 9, 2026
Location	Fort Adams State Park, Newport, Rhode Island
Presented By	Centreville Bank
Participants	Young athletes from RI, MA, and CT YMCAs
Open To	Public — families and community supporters welcome

Family members, friends, volunteers, and community supporters are all encouraged to attend and cheer on the athletes. The atmosphere is designed to be celebratory and inclusive — not a high-pressure competitive event, but a community gathering that honors hard work and personal achievement.

Why Youth Triathlon Builds More Than Fitness

There is a reason triathlon training resonates so deeply with kids who do not always see themselves as “sports kids.” The multi-sport format levels the playing field in a powerful way: a child who struggles in the water might fly on the bike. A hesitant runner might surprise everyone — including themselves — when they find their stride.

Research consistently shows that youth participation in endurance sports correlates with improved mental resilience, goal-setting skills, and self-esteem. When a child trains all summer for a single event and then crosses that finish line, something shifts. They carry that proof of capability with them long after race day.

The Race4Chase program amplifies these benefits by weaving in nutrition education and teamwork development alongside physical training. Kids learn how to fuel their bodies, how to encourage a teammate who is struggling, and how to push through discomfort without giving up — life skills wrapped in athletic training.

For children who may not have access to private coaching or competitive club sports, the YMCA structure makes these experiences accessible. The program reaches young athletes across a three-state region, ensuring that the lessons of Race4Chase extend well beyond Newport County.

Honoring Chase's Legacy: The Meaning Behind Every Mile

It is impossible to separate Race4Chase from its origin. Chase Kowalski's love of swimming, biking, and running did not disappear on December 14, 2012 — it was channeled into something that keeps growing, year after year, through every child who trains and races in his memory.

The CMAK Foundation's partnership with the Newport County YMCA ensures the program's sustainability and reach. Together, they have built something that transforms grief into forward motion — not by forgetting, but by honoring through action.

Each time a young athlete crosses the finish line at Fort Adams, they carry that legacy forward. They may not fully understand the weight of what they are participating in, but the adults around them do. That shared understanding — between families, coaches, volunteers, and organizers — gives the event a depth that typical youth sports races simply do not have.

How to Get Involved

🏅 For Young Athletes and Families

If your child is interested in participating in the 2026 Race4Chase program — or you want to learn about enrollment for future summers — contact the Newport County YMCA directly. The training program runs throughout the summer leading up to the August 9 event.

📣 For Spectators

The August 9 event at Fort Adams State Park is open to the public. Bring the whole family, find a great spot along the course, and cheer loudly. These kids have worked all summer for this moment — your energy matters.

🙋 For Volunteers

Race day runs on the enthusiasm and effort of community volunteers. If you would like to help support the event — whether on the course, at transition zones, or in an administrative role — reach out to:

Amy Cicilline
Newport County YMCA
📞 401-847-9200
✉️ amyc@newportymca.org

🤝 For Sponsors and Community Partners

The 2026 event is presented by Centreville Bank, a community partner whose support helps make Race4Chase possible. Organizations interested in sponsorship or partnership opportunities can inquire through the Newport County YMCA.

The Bigger Picture: What Race4Chase Means for Youth Sports

Programs like Race4Chase represent a powerful model for what youth sports can be when winning is not the primary goal. When you design an athletic program around personal growth, community belonging, and meaningful purpose, something different happens. Kids do not just get faster — they get braver.

They learn that they can do hard things. That showing up for weeks of training, even when it is difficult, leads somewhere worth going. That sport can be a vehicle for healing — both personal and collective.

For communities looking to create meaningful youth programming, and for families seeking an alternative to hypercompetitive youth sports culture, Race4Chase offers a compelling model: build kids up through sport, root the effort in purpose, and watch what happens when they cross that finish line.

Mark Your Calendar — and Make a Difference

The Race4Chase Youth Triathlon returns to Fort Adams State Park on Sunday, August 9, 2026. Hundreds of young athletes from across Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut will arrive ready to prove to themselves — and to everyone cheering — that they are capable of incredible things.

Chase Kowalski loved swimming, biking, and running. Every child who trains and races in his memory carries that love forward in the most active, living way possible.

Here is how to take action today:

1. ✅ Enroll your child — Call 401-847-9200 to learn about Race4Chase training programs
2. ✅ Come cheer — Mark August 9 on your calendar and bring the whole family to Fort Adams
3. ✅ Volunteer on race day — Email amyc@newportymca.org to sign up
4. ✅ Share this story — Help spread the word in your community about this extraordinary event
5. ✅ Support youth triathlon — Explore triathlon race gear to help a young athlete gear up with confidence

Looking to introduce a young athlete in your family to the sport? Browse our swim goggles and beginner-friendly gear for everything from their first swim goggles to race-day essentials.

Frequently Asked Questions

Source: WhatsUpNewp — Race4Chase Youth Triathlon Returns to Fort Adams