A 26-year Canada Day weekend tradition has wrapped up for another year.
The final day of the Kiwanis North Bay Triathlon Weekend played out under overcast skies and cool temperatures on Sunday.
Participants swam, biked, and ran their way to the finish line from Olmsted Beach at Trout Lake.
Ideal weather conditions according to some competitors, including North Bay’s own Michael Travers, who crossed the finish line in the Duathlon.
“We did a two-and-a-half km run, into a 20 km bike, and finished with a 5 km run,” explained Travers.
“The weather was perfect this year. I would say it is about 15 degrees, so it is perfect. The past few years it has been very hot and sunny, so we’re pretty lucky to have a nice cool day. I wasn’t overheating on the run.”
Also from North Bay, Valerie Robb competed in the relay triathlon, co-ed division.
“The weather was perfect for running. I feel bad for the swimmers because it is a bit chilly, but it was great for running, overcast, and a little cool. It felt good. I would have liked to have finished first, but second is also great,” laughed the runner.
Fortunately for the participants in Saturday’s Kids Triathlon aged six to 12 years old, the rain stopped long enough to give them a window where they could compete without getting soaked.
“They were very lucky. We were setting up in the rain and cleaning up in the rain, but the kids were very lucky. And they are so happy when they do it as well,” explained event co-chair Alex B Wilde.
The weather this weekend was in sharp contrast to what typically is a scorcher of a weekend.
“Normally we are afraid of this weekend because of the heat. So, even the rain that was horrific yesterday (Saturday) it just cooled it off and this is really good for the competitors,” observed Wilde who co-chairs the event along with Lachlan McLachlan.
Wilde called this year’s event “phenomenal”
“We’re still growing from the pandemic,” said Wilde.
The number of participants is in fact, up over last year when combining all age categories.
“Last year we were up just over 200 and now we’re almost at 250,” Wilde noted.
Over 200 adults from across the province competed.
People pulling together to provide a great weekend is what has led to the success of the competition for nearly three decades.
“There is a great group of volunteers with the Kiwanis Club that have been doing this for years and really know what they are doing. And great community support,” Wilde stated.
“It takes a lot of volunteers. We have over 80 volunteers signed up and involved, and then some of the family members."
Volunteer April Dobson participated in her first Triathlon last year, but when she couldn’t get in all the swim training she wanted, Dobson opted to volunteer this year.
The volunteer component did not disappoint.
“It feels great. It feels wonderful to watch people come in, it is really exciting. It is nice to know what they must be feeling as they cross the finish line. It is exciting for them, and it is also an exciting moment for me being on this side seeing them come through with big smiles on their faces.”
Dobson is planning on a return to the competitive side of things next year.
“Absolutely. When you’re on this side, you see all of the fun and you see them enjoying themselves and you see the challenge and you do want to be a part of that.”
The weekend is a warm-up for many of the competitors moving on to other competitions.
“A lot of the competitors will come to North Bay, and in a few weeks, they’ll be off to one in Toronto or Ottawa, and we’re part of a cycle of that. But it is also about getting the kids in early because the Kiwanis club is for children. So, the kids triathlon is an introduction for them, they do a little swim, a few laps (on their bikes), and a little run. They get chocolate milk at the exit. We see the happiness on their faces. We see the kids running across the line and throwing their arms up in the air,” laughed Wilde.
Some athletes, like Michael Travers, like to challenge themselves.
“Since I was a kid, my parents had me sign up for the Tri-Tri, and this year, and the past few years, I have done the Duathlon with some of my friends. Last year I think I finished third in the Duathlon, I had some mechanical issues on the bike, but this year I was lucky enough not to have any issues. Next year I’m thinking about doing the Tri. I just have to get in the water swimming which is probably the hardest part of the Triathlon.”
Any money left over after expenses will support Kiwanis North Bay projects.
“It is more just the activity of doing it, but it would go towards the Kiwanis band shell or the all-wheel park we’re putting in, or any of the projects that we run. And we do support other local organizations as well.”
Wilde shared his personal highlights from the weekend.
“So always, it’s the kids, and then it is watching a 72-year-old woman swim out of the water, hop out on her bike and bike away, and my thinking I really ought to get in better shape,” he laughed.
Wylde says the committee is looking at potentially changing the date of the event from the July 1st weekend to the following weekend next year.
