Thirty-one intrepid souls paddled, pedaled and pounded their way across the Atikokan landscape Saturday, in the third annual Triple P Triathlon.
“Everybody had a great time – I saw lots of smiling faces,” said organizer Julie Slack.
The event emphasizes participation, rather than competition. “It’s a ‘do what you can ethic’, and the participants are very supportive of each other. It’s so cool to see people helping each other [on the course]. It’s not cut throat at all.”
“And, at the end, to see the people who were so nervous about doing it coming through happy… “
The event starts with an 11 km paddle down the Atikokan River to the Steep Rock Dam. Participants then switch to mountain bikes, and cover a 10 km. route at Steep Rock and Charleson, and then finish with a 5 km run (or walk) through town.
With an event covering such a broad area, the key is being organized and having lots of volunteers. “Every year it happens, we get more and more support,” said Slack. She was especially delighted with the work the Town and Public Works did to brush back the canoe launch area across from Centennial Park.
On the course, the volunteers did everything from haul bikes and canoes to watering the participants to make sure they were on the right course. The group included Brian, Barb and Karissa Jackson, Jenn and Jamie Maki (from Sioux Lookout; the participant list also included a dozen out-of-towners), Jeannie Rundle, Tammy Faykes, Eva Shields, Melissa and Joe Burroughs (along with son Mack), Kira Schan and Ben Slack.
The AEDC supported the event through a FedNor local initiatives grant, and the merchants and businesses from town provided both cash and prize support.
“We’re set for next year – the same weekend, July 16. And I’d love to see more families and teens out there!”
Comments on this entry are closed.