Sunday was a perfect day for the Best Body Fitness Sprint Triathlon, Duathlon and associated races.
The weather was just about perfect with a 16˚C temperature and a light wind, although some of the bike riders found the wind a challenge during that portion of their events.
“The feedback we’re getting was everybody was happy with the results,” said race director Cathy Forner.
Registration was 176 for the various events.
“The numbers were up from last year,” said Forner. “I see this race continuing to grow and develop.”
This year the event was moved to Sunday, partially to lessen the impact on traffic and businesses.
Another reason for the move, she said, is they’re hoping to eventually run a Kids of Steel event on Saturday.
The registration included 20 youngsters in the 12-13 year old category who were competing in the Alberta Summer Games Zone 4 qualifier. Of those the top three males and top three females earned a berth in the games which will be held in Lethbridge next month.
Best Body Fitness Kids Splash ‘n’ Dash attracted 36 competitors.
“We had a lot of people from all over the province,” Forner said.
Edmonton, Calgary, Fort McMurray and a variety of smaller communities were represented.
The race is unique, she added, because it’s organized by Sylvan Lake Triathlon Club where many other races of this calibre are operated by businesses.
It’s a major fundraiser for the club’s 36 members who were key to its success.
“Sponsor support was amazing,” said Forner. “The town, title sponsor Best Body Fitness, gold and silver sponsors and members of the tri club who stepped forward.”
Club members helped clean the highway, set up the transition area, make sure everything was running right. “The team pulled together to make this happen,” said Forner.
Comments from participants included how well the course was marked, how easy it was for competitors to find their way and that there were volunteers where they were needed.
“What an outstanding event today, Thanks so much for putting on such a kick-ass event. I loved it,” wrote women’s triathlon winner Sharon Styles, to Forner.
Tim Hortons supplied all the stuff for the Kids Splash ‘n’ Dash including t-shirts, medals, swim caps, water bottles, said Forner who was extremely pleased with their participation.
“They were very supportive of the kids race.”
One of the things that was really neat, added Forner, was the participation of Sylvan Lake Mayor Susan Samson who ran her first triathlon and loved it, while supporting the community event.
(Samson finished 33rd and was the only female competitor in the 50-59 age category.)
Forner also highlighted excellent support from the RCMP, the town’s protective services as well as CN Rail police which sent one person to help because the race course crossed the tracks on 50th Street.
“The barbecue by the Rotary Club was a great success,” said Forner.
Full results of the race are available on the Sylvan Lake Triathlon Club’s website.
The top three male qualifiers for the Alberta Summer Games were all from Red Deer — Adam Guthrie, Carson Schiller and Aidan Vida. The top three female qualifiers were Carley Wlad, Red Deer; Zoe McCormick, Ponoka; and Hannah Giannioudis, Red Deer.
The men’s triathlon was won by George Colbert, Calgary; followed by Brian Hrynkow, Sherwood Park; and David Noonan, Sherwood Park. Sylvan Lake runner Bart Dyrland finished in 28th spot.
Sharon Styles of Carstairs won the women’s triathlon, followed by Elissa Papp of Calgary and Emma McCormick of Ponoka.
Sylvan Lake’s Kyla Price finished 15th, Megan-Joy Rockey finished 18th, Cody Toews finished 25th, Lydia Walker finished 31st, Samson finished 33rd, Karissa Main finished 35th, Carla Erickson finished 36th, Lorna Gibson finished 41st and Kim Romyn finished 44th.
Top finishers in the male duathlon were David Stringer of Calgary, Steven Matejka of Sylvan Lake and Woody Paylor of Red Deer.
In the female duathlon, the top finishers were Anita Yates of Edmonton, Corina Paliwoda of Drayton Valley and Sarah Campbell of Spruce Grove.
Three teams were entered in the triathlon and finished in the following order: Busy Bee’s, Little Bee’s, and Three Cheers.