The Chinook Triathlon Festival will be coming to Sylvan Lake Aug. 1, replacing the Sylvan Lake Loop Triathlon that was scheduled for July 19 this year.
The main cause for replacing the Sylvan Lake Loop Triathlon was lack of participant registrations, stated Three Lakes Triathlon Series race director Steve Brown.
“Our registrations were not where we needed them to be to produce a viable race,” he said. “Unfortunately we were facing an uphill battle as we tried to overcome past history with the Sylvan Lake event.”
According to Brown it was a struggle to decide on what to do, as there is an obligation to the athletes and the community of Sylvan Lake.
Race director for the Chinook Triathlon Festival Jordan Bryden is thrilled with the race being moved to Sylvan Lake. He said the race has been one of the defining races in Alberta, but had to be relocated. Finding a new suitable location was difficult, he said.
“The race was held in southeast Calgary for a number of years, and finding a location with an accessible lake and good, safe roads was proving problematic.”
Brown said he was satisfied with the decision.
“The meeting we had with Sylvan Lake to make the announcement to them was overwhelmingly positive,” he said. “We had the Alberta Triathlon Association at the table as well and they too were pleased by the outcome. We believe everyone wins with this decision — athletes, organizers and the community of Sylvan Lake.”
Bryden further commented that he is proud to have helped create a triathlon that will offer an “organic feeling” that works well with the festival atmosphere that Sylvan Lake is known for.
“We have established a unique environment that is easily accessible by athletes living in Edmonton, Calgary and Red Deer,” Bryden said. “Our event has restructured to create a course that works with the Sylvan Lake community to benefit the town and avoid many traffic flow and water use issues.”