Abbotsford Triathlon Club member Nadine Burgess felt a sensation she described as elation when she crossed the finish line at Albert Dyck Memorial Park on Sunday.
Burgess, 34, finished 39th overall, and fourth among female participants, in the adult sprint at this year’s Abbotsford Triathlon, which included a 750-metre swim, 20-kilometre bike ride and five-kilometre run.
Burgess said the weather at the park was “awesome” for the roughly 150 adult and kid participants. For Burgess, it was a completely different experience than at Vancouver’s Ironman-sponsored triathlon she attended in July.
Jaroslav Ploc of Vancouver won the adult sprint with a time of 1:01:28.0 and was the triathlon’s top male finisher. The top female finisher was Vancouver’s Kelsy Traverse, who came 10th overall, with a time of 1:12:34.0.
George Vrabec, who finished 28th, was the first Abbotsford participant to cross the finish line, while Raina Siou was the top Abbotsford woman, finishing 60th overall.
Abbotsford’s event, which was sponsored by a host of local businesses, carried a more grassroots feel, said Burgess.
“That’s what I loved about the race. I felt more connected with the people. Everyone was helping each other out.”
Burgess, who is from Langley, has only been active in the endurance sport for a short while, but contends it is something anyone can try.
“It’s a sport that really gives back,” she says. “It is completely friendly … [with] a very supportive community.”
For the complete results of the Abbotsford Triathlon go to sportstats.ca.
