INNISFAIL - Participants from across Alberta took to water and land for the 20th annual Innisfail Triathlon.
The event took place at the Innisfail Aquatic Centre on Saturday, Sept. 7.
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 race director Cathy Forner.
"We had 162 register (for the triathlon) 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).
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.
Many participants had experience from competing in previous triathlons, but 40-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."
