INNISFAIL – Participants from across Alberta took to water and land for the Innisfail Triathlon.
The event took place at the Innisfail Aquatic Centre on Sept. 7.
The Innisfail Triathlon made its return after being cancelled last year.
"Over the past 20 years, they've cancelled it three different times, for various reasons," said Cathy Forner, race director. "This is their 17th race in 20 years."
Close to 160 people from across Alberta took part in the triathlon that included swimming, biking and running events.
"The majority of our adults come from all over Alberta. We do have one participant that said they were from Mexico and came all the way from Mexico to participate in this race," said Forner.
"We had 162 register and we were expecting about 155 participants in total for all races combined," she added, noting that for the first time in its 20-year history, a duathlon was held simultaneously with the triathlon.
"We had 11 participants for the duathlon," said Forner. "We wanted to be able to expand the race a little bit and offer some options (with a run, bike and run option).
This year, participants competed in the triathlon or duathlon but also could participate in a try-it event for both individual and team levels.
"We call them try-its because they can come and try a triathlon,” said Forner. “That's why they call it a try-it distance, it's a good place to start."
The triathlon season runs from May to September, noted Forner, which is why many come out for the Innisfail event.
“It’s one of the last races of the season. It just gives the athletes one last chance to get in a race before the season ends,” she said.
Coun. Jean Barclay was a volunteer coordinator for the event and said they had about 75 volunteers, including several members of town staff, local residents and people from across Central Alberta who stepped up to help make the event a success.
"A lot of people from the surrounding areas have come in to help. It's awesome," said Barclay.
Innisfail’s John Buyks has participated in the Innisfail Triathlon for the past five years. He was competing in the first Innisfail duthalon on Saturday.
“I’ve done the Bowden duathlon about 10 times but they don’t have it anymore,” said Buyks. “I like competition, I like sports and exercise.
“I’m not a super fast swimmer so I decided to do the duathlon (this year),” he added. “It’s good that it’s back again.”
Forty-year-old Jeff Love of Cochrane came to Innisfail to participate in his very first triathlon.
"I'm excited. It's a nice sunny day," said Love, noting he runs regularly and keeps active. "I think I'm going to do pretty good."
