Gushe at the finish line 1:30:54

Sidelined with a hamstring injury for the 2004 and 2005 triathlon seasons, 43-year old Dr. Len Gushe proved today that he is back and in top form. The Mattawa Doctor blew away the competition during the 2006 Annual North Bay Triathlon Sunday by finishing a full 16 minutes ahead of Rob Wilson with a time of 1:30:54.

“This is a good course, one of the only ones where you come out of the water and then go uphill all the way,” he says.

“The run was the most challenging, I knew I had to be prepared, as it would be harder on the way back because of the wind. So I said here we go, I put my head down and just did it step by step.”

Gushe, who lives and trains in Mattawa, competed in his first triathlon 14 years ago in the very same spot, and has been posting impressive finish times internationally ever since. Humbled by his athletic prowess, the doctor says that he doesn’t get caught up with placing or winning.

“I could barely move my legs the first time I did this race. I was playing hockey and thought I was in good shape, what did I know, but then over the years of training I’ve improved. It wasn’t until eight years ago that I hit my stride and I’m still improving.”

“I’ve done the Iron Man competition in Hawaii and feel great just to finish 40th overall. I could have gone 5 minutes slower today and still come in first, but I’d have gone home thinking that was a terrible race,” says Gushe.

Gushe, who also travels to Florida in the winter to train and compete, says that his lifestyle affords him the time needed to dedicate to the sport because he is single, has a good job and the time to train.

“I respect what they’re (his competitors) doing out there, they have jobs and homes to manage, plus kids and their things like piano lessons and soccer games,” he says.

The Iron Man credits his surroundings for some of his success stating that Mattawa offers a great training course and at the same time he can soak in the beauty around.

“I run on Murphy’s Hill, it’s an 8-9 kilometre dirt road loop that is nice and hilly and you only see about one car an hour, so you can run right up the middle of the road. It’s beautiful and I’ve seen deer and all kinds of wildlife all over the place.”

While Gushe continues to strive for his personal bests, he started coaching about 2 years ago and says he gets great satisfaction encouraging the 10 others in the sport.

“We get to go to the races together and trade war stories,” he laughs.

“I do enjoy coaching, as they are raising the bar for me. I’m 43 and they are 23 and they’re closing the gap.”

He also notes that the world of triathlon is appealing because while competitive, it has a great sense of camaraderie.

“It’s one of the reasons I stuck with it. You could be at a race down south with 1500 people competing and they are so friendly and cheering you on. They are competing against you, but the bottom line is they’re friendly before, during and after the race,” says the Iron Man.

“Playing hockey, your opponents don’t cheer when you score!”

Meanwhile, 40-year old Noreen Yeates of North Bay kept her title as she took the women’s individual top spot with a time of 1:57:10. Close on Yeates heals was 31-year old Jenn Bon of Smiths Falls with a time of 2:03:57.

View Photo Gallery for this Story

Print View | Send to a Friend
News Response | Sports Response