Supertri Chicago Kids Triathlon draws hundreds of young athletes to Foster Beach | See road closures

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago's lakefront was filled with young competitors Saturday morning as athletes of all ages gathered for Supertri Chicago weekend, beginning with the 2026 Supertri Chicago Kids Triathlon at Foster Beach.

The race got underway with a countdown of "three, two, one," followed by the sounding of horns as participants entered the competition.

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Some of the city's youngest athletes took on the waters of Lake Michigan and then transitioned to cycling and running in the triathlon challenge. Among them was 12-year-old Brooke Casey, a veteran participant who said the event remains a highlight.

"It's just fun. And I like when I see other people doing it like I see like little kids doing it and it's really fun," Casey said.

For Casey and her brother Kyle, the event has become a family tradition. Their father, Brendan Casey, said the family's involvement spans more than a decade.

"It's cool because we've got our oldest son to be here racing again tomorrow, so the three of them have been doing that since they're little, like 5, we've been doing this for 10+ years now watching it. So, obviously I'm proud of my kids. It's great to see him compete," Brendan Casey said.

Organizers said the Supertri Chicago Triathlon, formerly known as the Chicago Triathlon, is the largest event in the series. More than 9,000 participants are expected to swim, run, and cycle over the two-day competition.

"Chicago is just a sports city and it embraces this," said Michael D'Hulst, founder and CEO of Supertri.

Roughly 700 children, ranging from grade school students to teenagers, competed Saturday morning in the endurance event, which combines swimming, cycling, and running.

Arya Bommi, 12, said competing in the race gives him confidence.

"Makes me feel proud of myself. It makes me feel like I can do stuff," Bommi said.

Bommi hoped to improve on his time from last year. His mother, Himabindu Chittamuru, said she has watched his dedication firsthand.

"I'm so proud. He's practicing running every day before school starts at 8. He wakes up at 6, and then, he runs a mile," Chittamuru said.

Supporters said Supertri Chicago is about more than competition. Organizers said the event generates millions of dollars for the Chicago economy and aims to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for Lurie Children's Hospital for pediatric cancer and blood disorder research.

Justin Law, who is taking part in the event with his 9-year-old son Joey, said the cause motivated their participation.

"So, I work at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. I work in the cardiothoracic ICU. We have a lot of us actually taking care of it tomorrow, so we did it as a group. Joey saw me training, said he wants to do it," Law said.

The day's activities continued with a super sprint race designed for newcomers to the sport.

The weekend's main competition is scheduled for Sunday at Monroe Harbor, where thousands of athletes are expected to compete in sprint, relay, and Olympic-distance races beginning at 6 a.m.

List of road closures

Saturday, 8/22

• 5 a.m. 8/22; reopens 7 p.m. 8/23: E. Balbo Dr., DuSable Lake Shore Dr. to S. Columbus Dr.


• 10 a.m. 8/22; reopens 5 p.m. 8/23: N. Lake Shore Dr. / NB Randolph exit ramp.


• 4 a.m.-1 p.m.: Simmonds Dr., from Montrose Harbor Dr. to Foster Ave.

Sunday, 8/23

• 2 p.m.-7 p.m.: S. Columbus Dr., E. Balbo Dr. to E. Roosevelt Rd.


• 5 a.m.-noon: Lake Shore Dr. SB lanes, E. Randolph St. to W. Hollywood Ave.


• 5 a.m -12:30 p.m.: E. Randolph Lower St., S. Columbus Dr. to lakefront.


• 5 a.m.-noon: E. Lower Wacker Dr., Randolph to State.


• 5 a.m.-noon: W. Lower Wacker Dr., State to Lake.


• 5 a.m.-noon: N. Wacker Lower Dr., State to Madison.


• 5 a.m.-noon: S. Wacker Lower Dr., Madison to Jackson.


• 6:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m.: N. Columbus Dr., E. Randolph St. to Lower Wacker.