Racers of all ages were represented at the first of four duathlons in May.
The Bird’s Hill Duathlon Series is back, and the people have spoken!
Even with the miserable and relatively cold early May weather, people and their families came out in droves for some friendly competitive community activity.
This was the first of four such races held every Tuesday in May.
Marc Fournier and his wife enjoying the racing put on by the Winnipeg Triathlon Club.
A duathlon, not to be confused with a biathlon, is an athletic event that consists of a running leg, followed by a cycling leg and then another running leg in a format that has some resemblance to a triathlon.
“The event can look intimidating (at first), with all of the equipment and the lycra, but the club scene is very friendly,” explains veteran local racer Marc Fournier. “They are always looking for new people to join the sport, and share that experience.”
“The best thing about the sport is welcoming the new people, because you get to experience the joy through their eyes of seeing the sport for the first time.”
“The Winnipeg Triathlon Club has been running this for 3 years now,” Fournier adds. “But this is the first year underneath their new name, and they have brought this race to a new level, in terms of organization, and putting on a really good race. I look forward to coming to these races all of the time.”
Joel Toews and his sons Joshua and Lucas coming out to the races for their first time.
Joel Toews took his two sons, Joshua (10-years-old), and Lucas (8-years-old) to race for their first time. They liked it so much, they told their dad they would like to do another.
“My wife Colleen and I, like to be active, and for our boys to be active as well,” says Toews.
“This is a great way to be involved in sports since it’s quite inexpensive, close to the city, a great workout and even a bit competitive.”
“We also like that it can be done on our own schedule and with a level of commitment that we’re comfortable with,” he adds.
Even elite local athletes have fun at the events.
Toews says that his sons do a few other activities as well. Joshua will be in the Trail Run Manitoba Try-A-Trail Series again this year, and possibly the Lemming Loop, while his other son Lucas enjoys playing soccer.
People with varying abilities, shapes and sizes, were well represented. And all types of bikes, high-end aerodynamic carbon to regular mountain bikes.
Approximately 130 athletes competed on Tuesday, joined by 40 volunteers, five TriMB race officials, eight first responders (Canadian Ski Patrol), and anywhere between 30 to 50 spectators.
The next race is next Tuesday, May 13th. For more information, please visit http://birdshillduathlon.com/
For more information on the Trail Run Manitoba Series, please visit http://trailrunmanitoba.com/races/try-a-trail-series/
Information about the races can also be found at local bicycle shops.
Local duathlete, Kimberly Fawcett-Smith, participated in the event.
Check out Gregory McNeill’s slide show on Flickr by clicking on this link.
