All Kids Can! About Us

Maria Elipas founded the kids triathlon training program in June, 2000.  Prior to June 2000, Maria trained her two children for five years and saw what a difference it made in them.  She saw an increase in their confidence, independence and the ability to set goals, work towards those goals and finally achieve their goals. 

After seeing the increase in her children’s self esteem and fitness, she wanted to share this experience with other children.  Throughout the years, the All Kids Can! Program has worked with children ages 7-14,  of all abilities and disabilities while making minor modifications to make all the children successful. 

Maria has found that the children with disabilities have inspired the other children in the program to learn that nothing is impossible.  The All Kids Can! Program has successfully trained children who were blind, asthmatic, diabetic and amputees to complete the Chicago Kids Triathlon.

After five successful years with the All Kids Can! Program Maria expanded the program to include teenagers (15-18 years) who could continue their training to successfully compete in the Fleet Feet adult mini triathlon.  Maria found it very empowering for children and teens to accomplish something they have trained so hard for.

Maria has worked as a teacher and a counselor for the Chicago Public Schools since 1982, but took many years off to raise her two children.  She returned to teaching along with beginning another career as a personal trainer.  Along with teaching, Maria works for the Galter LifeCenter, a medical fitness facility since 2000 as a personal trainer and fitness specialist.

Maria has trained and completed 13 marathons, many half marathons and 10Ks.   Along with this, she has trained and completed numerous triathlons of various distances.