For over 20 years, the Wasa Triathlon festival has been held at Wasa Lake, giving participants the chance to compete in various events depending on their commitment and skill levels.
Organizer, Charlie Cooper, has been involved with the triathlon for 17 years now.
“It’s been a very interesting journey to watch the event grow,” said Cooper. “It’s great to see all of the local interest as well as the interest of visitors from out of town.
“We’ve had some really good numbers attend, and over the past four years we’ve grown to about 1200 people.”
Cooper says there’s an event for everyone from swimmers to non swimmers, and training depends on which race you’re registered for.
“Training varies according to distance,” said Cooper. “The super sprint event is reasonable for training, and good for someone who is completing a triathlon for the first time, or for someone who has less time to train.
“The sprint event definitely requires a few hours of training per week, and the standard event is an olympic [level] triathlon which needs a plan, commitment, and daily exercise.”
The Triathlon will take place on Saturday, June 10 and Sunday, June 11 2017. There are four events to choose from, depending on age and skill level:
The new event is called the super sprint, which involves a 400 metre swim, 12 kilometre bike, and three kilometre run, for ages 16 and up.
The second event is the sprint event which involves a 750 metre swim, 20 kilometre bike, and five kilometre run, for ages 16 and up.
The third event is the most rigorous one, involving a 1500 metre swim, 40 kilometre bike, and a 10 kilometre run, for ages 18 and up.
The last event is the tri-kids races, which involves six different races for ages four to 15 and the distances vary depending on age.
Not only are there four different events to choose from, but there will also be a barbecue lunch, finish line food, competitor t-shirts, swim caps, race bibs, electronic timing, awards, draw prizes, tri-club challenges, relay teams, medals, and $4200 in elite prize money.
“We require lots of help for the event, so any volunteers who want to be a part of the action and enjoy a day at beautiful Wasa Lake should get in touch,” said Cooper.
For more information or to volunteer contact Charlie Cooper at charlie@rmevents.com or visit the website at http://www.rmevents.com/triathlon and the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WasaTriathlon.
