Almost 7,000 children swam, ran and cycled nearly 6,500 miles between them in the Tata - Kids of Steel triathlon series in Great Britain.

The series of nine mini triathlon events - organised by Tata Steel and the British Triathlon Federation - involved kids from 188 schools across Great Britain. This year's Tata - Kids of Steel series began in May and concluded with events in Swansea and Newport last week.

During the eighth annual triathlon series, children aged between eight and 13, regardless of ability or experience, were once again given the opportunity to have a fun and positive experience of sport.

Tata Steel's Communications Director Sytske Seyffert said: "The Tata - Kids of Steel triathlon series gives children of all abilities the chance to participate in sport and feel the great sense of achievement that comes with crossing the finishing line. We hope to inspire them to lead a more active and healthy lifestyle.

"Tata Steel strives to enrich the local communities in which it operates through its Community Partnership Programme and this is just one of the ways we are investing in the health and wellbeing of future generations.

"Our employees get a great sense of pride from volunteering at the events, and seeing the smiling faces of the kids as they take on the challenge of swimming, cycling and running. We would like to express huge thanks to the many people who have helped us to give almost 7,000 children a chance to take part in this year's series. Our ambition is to give 100,000 children the chance to participate in Tata - Kids of Steel by 2016."

This year's events took place in Corby, Scunthorpe, Workington, Teesside, Wishaw, Sheffield, Mold, Swansea and Newport. The event in Mold, North Wales, proved to be especially popular, with nearly 1,500 youngsters taking part, making it the biggest single event in the series' eight-year history.

Tata - Kids of Steel events offer an inclusive and accessible opportunity to take part in a mini triathlon. They are delivered by the British Triathlon Trust in close collaboration with local schools and community sports clubs.

Two-time World Champion Helen Jenkins said: "It is brilliant to see that nearly 7,000 children have been given the opportunity to experience triathlon through the Tata - Kids of Steel series this year. It is great to see triathlon continue to grow and the next generation of potential stars given their first chance to enjoy the sport."

Since the series launched in 2007, Tata Steel and British Triathlon have enabled more than 60,000 children to participate in triathlon, with every child receiving a medal for taking part, in addition to a T-shirt, swim cap and gym sack, in recognition of their achievement.

The events aim to boost confidence and self esteem while giving the youngsters a fun, positive experience of sport. Each child completes a course comprising of a 50m swim, 1,000m cycle and 500m run.

Tata Steel has sponsored the British Triathlon Federation since 2006 and is proud to continue its association as the BTF's Community Sponsor, supporting Tata - Kids of Steel events that have a positive impact on the lives of young people throughout Great Britain.

British Triathlon President Ian Howard TD added: "It has been another great year for Tata - Kids of Steel, with almost 7,000 youngsters experiencing their first taste of triathlon, thanks to our Community Sponsor, Tata Steel. Youngsters from across the Home Nations have all had the opportunity to become a triathlete, with record attendances in a number of events. I hope their experience will inspire them to continue their involvement within triathlon as a participant or fan of our fast growing and exciting Olympic and Paralympic sport."