| Half-Iron-Distance Triathlons in Western Canada |
More than half.
The swim start at the 2008 Chinook Half Iron Triathlon. / photo courtesy Chinook Half Iron Triathlon
Later coined “Ironman 70.3” in 2006, the series has become the fastest-growing triathlon series in the world. Winning times for elite men and women range from sub-four hours to just over four hours respectively. Average race times for most “competitive recreational” athletes range between five to six hours, depending on the athletes’ skill level, course profile, and conditions. Once you are sure you are prepared to do a half Iron-distance race, check out the local races and select one that best suits your race style and course preference. Alberta RacesJune 20 Chinook Half Iron Triathlon Location: Calgary, Alberta Web site: www.chinookhalf.com Race director: Mike Bock Year of race: Five Course profile: Two-lap swim course in Lake Midnapore, out-and-back bike course, two-loop run course. Features: The bike course is a scenic and challenging route along Highway 22x through rolling hills and short steep inclines on the way out to Kananaskis Country. Winds tend to pick up on the bike course later in the morning, so be prepared for extra resistance on the way into Calgary. The run features paved and shale paths as it travels through Lake Midnapore and beautiful Fish Creek Provincial Park. Home of “heartbreak hill,” Fish Creek is a National Heritage Site within the City of Calgary and one of the largest inner-city parks in North America. The Chinook Half is a well-organized race that appeals to beginners and more competitive athletes. July 5 The Great White North Location: Stony Plain, Alberta Web site: www.gwntriathlon.com Race director: Wade Church Year of race: Eleven Course profile: Two-lap swim in Hubbles Lake, out-and-back bike, out-and-back run. Features: The bike course travels on straight roads through Stony Plain and the river valley to the turnaround point at the Genesse Power Plant, with decent-sized hills and elevation changes. The run is relatively flat on a scenic route through the park trail system. GWN attracts athletes from across the world, which speaks well for the quality of the event due to its incredible sponsorship and volunteer support. In 2008 there were over 900 competitors, making this the largest triathlon of any distance in Canada, outside of Ironman Canada. July 26 Sylvan Lake Half Ironman Location: Sylvan Lake, Alberta Web site: www.outbackevents/ca/SylvanLakeTri/Registration Race directors: Joe and Sarah Dixon Year of Race: Six Course profile: One-loop swim in Sylvan Lake, one-loop bike, run course currently under review. Features: This race attracts a good number of high-calibre triathletes. Bike along a course with rolling hills and fast descents past scenic Alberta farmland; run along Lakeshore Drive among lakeside cottages. August 2 Ironman Calgary 70.3 Location: Calgary, Alberta Web site: www.ironmancalgary.com Race director: Cheryl Lowery Year of race: One Course profile: One-loop swim in Ghost Lake, point-to-point bike, out-and-back run. Features: Swim in Ghost Lake, transitioning to a bike across rolling foothills and ranchlands as you skirt around Calgary city limits to loop part of the Glenmore Reservoir on the run. August 23 Alberta Challenge Location: Miquelon Provincial Park, Alberta Web site: www.multisportscanada.com/AlbertaChallenge.html Race director: Trevor Soll Year of race: Two Course profile: One-lap swim in Miquelon Lake, two-loop bike, two-loop run. Features: Swim in the warm and comfortable setting of alkaline Miquelon Lake, biking along quiet, well-paved, secondary highways around Miquelon Lake. The run course is scenic with rolling hills that transition through paved, chip, and grassed trails in Miquelon Park. The Alberta Challenge is a race geared toward camaraderie and family fun. British Columbia RacesMay 24 Subaru Shawnigan Lake Triathlon Location: Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia Web site: triseries.ca/shawnigan_lake/ Year of race: Three Race director: John Botelho Course profile: Swim in Shawnigan Lake with beach transition, multiple-loop bike course, and an out-and-back trail run course. Features: Canada’s first outdoor long-distance triathlon of the year provides a “Beautiful BC” experience at Shawnigan Lake. The run on the TransCanada Trail is breathtaking, with no pavement pounding your legs. A true west coast experience and one of the most picturesque triathlons in the world. June 7 Persona Oliver Half Iron Triathlon Location: Oliver, British Columbia Web site: www.outbackevents.ca/Oliver Half Web Site/index.htm Race director: Joe and Sarah Dixon Year of race: Six Course profile: Two-loop lake swim in Tuc-el-Nuit Lake, two-loop bike, two-lap run. Features: This fast course attracts professional triathletes for a race truly supported by community spirit both on and off the course, making it a unique race experience. This is a race to be impressed by! Bike through the Okanagan Valley along part of the Ironman Canada course and past Oliver Wineries. Then transition to a run through quiet residential neighbourhoods and along the banks of the Okanagan River. June 21 New Balance Victoria Triathlon Location: Victoria, British Columbia Website: www.triseries.ca/victoria/ Year of Race: Fourteen Race director: John Botelho Course profile: Swim in Elk Lake with beach transition, multi-loop bike course, trail run course. Features: This popular, yet low-key and grassroots race is a perennial sellout! Staged on the edge of beautiful Victoria, the bike moves through the rolling hills of the Saanich Peninsula, transitioning to its famous two-loop run course around the well-manicured trails of Elk Lake. July 12 Persona Desert Half Iron Triathlon Location: Osoyoos, British Columbia Web site: www.outbackevents.ca/Desert%20Half%20Web%20Site/index.htm Race directors: Joe and Sarah Dixon Year of race: Five Course profile: Two-loop swim in Osoyoos Lake, out-and-back bike, two-loop run. Features: Swim in the warmest lake in Canada, take an epic bike up Richter Pass, returning on the old Ironman course into Osoyoos. Keep an eye out for the spotted lake, green and blue pools of mineral deposits covering thirty-eight acres. Run alongside the lake and well-known Legion Beach. Gaining recognition as “Canada’s Toughest Half Iron.” July 12 Subaru Vancouver Triathlon Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Web site: www.triseries.ca/vancouver/ Year of race: Three Race director: John Botelho Course profile: Ocean swim course, multiple-loop bike course, beach trail run course. Features: Staged in the magnificent setting of the Spanish Banks Beaches with stunning views of the downtown Vancouver skyline and the picturesque North Shore Mountains, this event promises to be the most beautiful urban half Iron you will ever experience! September 13 Subaru Sooke Triathlon Location: Sooke, British Columbia Web site: www.triseries.ca/sooke/ Year of race: Three Race director: John Botelho Course profile: Multiple-loop swim course in Young Lake, multiple-loop bike course, downtown run course to Whiffin Spit. Features: The bike heads out on the rolling hills of Sooke. Transition to the run on the downtown streets of Sooke, as it features a journey out to Whiffin Spit where you will be surrounded by the Pacific Ocean with the lighthouse as your beacon. Are you ready to try a half Iron distance race? Here are a few things to consider: • It’s best to make sure that you’ve done a few Sprint and Olympic races before venturing into long course races to fine tune your race style, transitions, and practice some mental toughness along the way. • If you hate seaweed, fish, and the inability to see or touch the bottom of the pool, you’re probably best to stay at the Olympic level or scare off those demons though some open-water swim practice. • Make sure to pack your wetsuit—you’ll need it for most races. • Being able to swim front crawl is essential! • Can you change a flat on a bike? (Sounds silly, but you’d be surprised!) • Do you own a road bike? Mountain bikes don’t cut it anymore, and borrowing one just for the race isn’t a good idea. • Have you had a custom bike fit? They make all the difference when you are on the saddle for that length of time. • Have you ever run a half-marathon before? Now imagine doing it after a two-kilometre swim and ninety-kilometre bike. Is that manageable? • If you’ve never run before, consider spending a solid year in training before progressing. About the AuthorShawna Gallant, B.Kin., owner of Renew Fitness, www.renewfitness.ca, a personal training business in Calgary, Alberta, is the current manager of the Tech Shop’s north store in Calgary and former coach with Kronos Triathlon Club. |
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