Derek Vinge topped a field of 133 athletes to take the title of provincial cross triathlon champion at PACE Multisport Dodge City X, held September 7 in Cumberland.
The race featured a 1.5-km swim, a 23-km mountain bike through the hills and forests of Cumberland and a 9.5-km trail run. Less than three minutes behind Vinge was Cumberland’s Tyler McCallan, while another Cumberlander, Clay Ward, finished third.
On the women’s side, Zoe Dawson of Squamish took her second straight PACE Multisport Dodge City X title, followed by Shawnigan Lake’s Lisa Helmer and Cumberland’s Natalie Ward.
Athletes who won their respective age categories at the race were crowned provincial champions and also qualified to represent Canada at the 2020 World Cross Triathlon Championships in Almere, Netherlands next September.
“It was another fantastic race, with perfect weather and a field of super impressive athletes,” said race director Ryan Parton. “The men’s race was especially exciting, with three local athletes all finishing within a few minutes of each other. If Clay (Ward) hadn’t suffered a flat tire, I think it would have been too close to call.”
The event also featured a roughly half-distance “sprint” category, which was topped by Courtenay’s James Fraser Allen on the men’s side and Cumberland’s Crystal Steers on the women’s.
Not to be outdone, Nolan Hunder of Courtenay was awarded the event’s first-ever “Tough as Dodge” award, winning the admiration of volunteers and athletes alike as he finished the race despite having snapped off his seat post early in the bike segment.
PACE Multisport Dodge City X is hosted by Steam Donkey Racing and supported by a “thwack” of local sponsors, including Trail Bicycles, Fit Chiropractic, Thomas Dargie Investors Group, and Extreme Runners.
For results, photos and more, visit www.dodgecityx.ca.
