The Power, Motivation Of Kids Helping Other Kids! - The Friends of Aine Kid’s Try-athlon

Every August, the grounds of the Bedford Town Pool and High School fill with the energy of hundreds of young athletes. The Friends of Aine Kid’s Try-athlon brings together children aged 4 to 15, along with families, volunteers, and local supporters, for a swim, bike, and run event where every participant crosses the finish line as a winner.

A Legacy Born from Love

The event honors the memory of Aine Marie Phillips, an eight-year-old Bedford girl who passed away unexpectedly in 2010 from an undiagnosed lung condition. Aine loved playing outside—especially swimming, biking, and running through the summer months. Following her loss, her parents, David and Christine Phillips, recognized a vital gap in local bereavement resources for Aine’s surviving sister, Bella.

In response, they established Friends of Aine, which has grown into New Hampshire’s only non-profit dedicated solely to offering free peer-to-peer grief support programs for children, teens, and families navigating the loss of a loved one.

The Race Experience

Designed to build confidence rather than foster intense competition, the Try-athlon welcomes children of all athletic abilities:

Ages 4–10: Swim 25 yards, bike 1 mile, and run 1/2 mile.

Ages 11–15: Swim 50 yards, bike 2 miles, and run 1 mile.

Course logistics and timing are managed in partnership with Millennium Running, while local businesses and volunteers power the setup, race support, and post-event family festival featuring crafts, games, and refreshments.

Impact Beyond the Finish Line

All proceeds directly fund the center's bereavement programs, ensuring that young people grieving a parent, sibling, or loved one receive professional guidance and peer connection without any financial burden. The event embodies a simple, powerful ethos: kids active in their community helping other kids heal.