The Quality Foods Qualicum Beach Triathlon takes place in June 30.
The popular summer sporting event was in danger of not happening, as the Tri-Athletics Society last year when it lost five key members including race director Brad Goodman. Society vice-president Jim Powell said at the time they weren’t sure if there would be anyone willing to take over. It turned out to be the opposite.
“We’re happy to have people to come on board who are keen, have previous experience and are well-versed on what to do,” said Powell. “So we’re good to go.”
This is going to be the 22nd year of the triathlon.
Taking over from Goodman is John Philips, who Powell said has been involved with the triathlon for a couple of years.
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Powell said they are excited about this year’s triathlon as they have added another attraction, a duathlon, a combination of 5-kilometre run, 20.5-km bike, and 2.5-km run.
“Tri-BC asked us whether we would be interested in hosting this event,” said Powell. “It’s going to be a qualifying event for the 2020 Multisport World Championships in Almere, Netherlands. We’re very excited to host this as it will bring in more participation.”
Registration for the event is only available online except for students, who can fill up an application through their respective schools. Registration will open online on April 1. Go to: https://www.qualicumbeachtriathlon.com/register
The different events are for Adult (18+) Individual or Relay: 400-metre swim, 20.5-km bike, 5-km run; Youth (12-17 years) Individual or Relay: 200 m swim, 12.3-km bike, 2.5-km run; Minor (8-11 years) Individual or Relay: 100m swim, 4.1-km bike, 1-km run; Tiny Tri (4-7 years) Individual: width of pool, short bike, short run and Duathlon (15+) Individual: 5-km run, 20.5-km bike, 2.5-km run.
The triathlon attracts approximately 350 participants, 100 tiny-tri-athletes and more than 500 spectators. Powell said it’s a popular event that is family-oriented.
The society recently informed Town of Qualicum that it would be staging the popular sporting event and was successful in getting permits to close municipal roads that include southbound lane on Jones Street from Second Avenue West to Fern Road West; and street use for Arbutus Street to Mill Road to Beach Road to Second Avenue West to Jones Street and the Civic Centre. The Community Park trail will also be used between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. on that day.
The town will also provide signage in advance and on the event day prohibiting on-leash and off-leash dogs in the Community Park during the event.
