By Sheldon Spackman

Local athletes test their mettle at 18th Annual Woody’s Triathlon

Jun 21, 2018 | 1:28 PM

Hundreds of local athletes put their physical endurance to the test during the 18th Annual Woody’s Triathlon in Red Deer this weekend.

The volunteer-run event raises money for the Red Deer Kinsmen Club which helps support a wide variety of community-minded projects.

Event spokesperson Chelsea Richer says the two-day event at the Michener Recreation Centre features a Kids of Steel race on Saturday, June 23 and Adult Relay and Junior Sprint races on Sunday, June 24.

“The kids will swim at the Michener Pool and then they run to their bikes, then they bike out and then they run and they come across the finish line,” says Richer. “So we have just over 400 kids between the ages of 5 – 15 that will race on Saturday. We have lots of fun going on, bouncy castles and different sponsors and community groups that will be there, pancake breakfast and lots to see. It’s very exciting for spectators.”

$250,000 FROM SCOTIABANK

Red Deer Polytechnic receives significant donation for land-based learning

1h ago

May 11

Kinex Arena parts up for grabs ahead of demolition

2h ago

roy e. cope award

Two retiring Chinook's Edge educators to receive award for dedication to students

17h ago

In addition, Richer says there will be food on site, a community partner’s expo, music, prizes and finisher medals and t-shirts for those who cross the finish line.

“On Sunday we have the Junior Sprint Adult Race and the Adult Relay Race,” she points out. “So same thing, swim, bike, run down at Michener Recreation. This time we get to cheer on all the moms and dads that help support those kids as well and lots of fun finisher prizes and a good chance to see some great athletes.”

According to Richer, the purpose behind the event is to get kids active and promote healthy living.

“Active living, healthy choices, it’s a great experience for them to be able to practice the sport and to see that they can be good at three different things and what really makes up a triathlon,” she explains. “We’ve been lucky enough to have Stantec on board for a few great years now and they do our Stantec Training, so many of these kids, almost 200 a week have been at Michener Pool training for the swim, bike and run thanks to Stantec. They’ve been training hard since April.”

Sher says triathlon is all about finishing.

“I think there’s a lot of pride for athletes,” states Richer. “Our Adult Race is a sprint so it’s a great training race for competitive triathletes. It’s a great first race, so people that are being introduced to the sport, but kids and adults alike have this awesome sense of pride and accomplishment when they come across the finish line.”

With this year’s event being the 18th, Richer says a huge thank you goes out to the community for supporting it each year. More than 200 volunteers help make the race happen.