By any standards, the three-day Ultraman520K triathlon is an incredible challenge for any athlete.
The three-day triathlon, which finished in Summerland on Monday, included a 10-kilometre swim, 424 kilometres of cycling and an 84.4-kilometre run.
Training for an event of this magnitude is a long and intense process, and even the top athletes are not all able to complete it.
This year, only 15 were registered, but one did not finish and another did not start.
Participation is by invitation and is limited to those who have already proved themselves in Ironman triathlons.
For the majority in Summerland, this level of competition is out of reach.
However, the Ultraman and other similar events still have an important role. They can serve to inspire others to keep working on their health and fitness goals.
In Summerland and around the province, we already have a strong sports and fitness culture, with plenty of teams, leagues and clubs for all ages.
In late July, some of our young athletes were in Abbotsford competing at the annual B.C. Summer Games.
And in September, older athletes will go to Coquitlam for the 55+ B.C. Games.
Other athletes of all ages are making a name for themselves in various individual and team sports.
We have even had a number of Olympians coming from within our community.
If the pursuit of fitness has a value to us as a community, then the elite competitions such as the Ultraman triathlon play a role.
If such events help to inspire or motivate others to pursue their own fitness goals, they have fulfilled an important purpose.
