The 11th annual Squamish Triathlon - A Memorial to Bob McIntosh is set to dive into Alice Lake on Sunday (July 13), and there are still openings left for competitors.The Olympic distance event features a 1,500-metre swim around Alice Lake, a 37-kilometre road ride and a 10-kilometre trail run on the Cheekye Fan Trail. The triathlon has been selling out almost consistently since its inception in 1998. McIntosh, a triathlete and Canadian National Team captain, had been vocal about wanting to host a local triathlon. Although his life was cut short before those dreams could come to fruition, friends pulled together to create the race in his name after his untimely death on New Year's Eve in 1997. "Initially it was just an emotional response to Bob's death to do something," said race director Peter Hotston, who was part of a tightly knit running group with McIntosh. "And as ideas became more formulated over the years, we wanted to promote a quality triathlon in Squamish in Bob's name."The event draws triathletes from all over the Lower Mainland, Alberta and Washington State. It continues to attract a growing number of local competitors as well, some quite new to the multi-sport.Participants can take on all three events on their own or concentrate on a single event as part of a relay team.Newcomers often test the waters by participating in the relay before taking on the entire 48.5-kilometre course.Last year, 262 individuals and 52 relay teams took part in the triathlon. Three-time Ironman World Champion Peter Reid of Brackendale won the event with a time of 1:56:39. He hasn't yet registered for this year's race, so it's unclear whether he will be on hand to defend the title. There are 172 individuals and 35 relay teams signed up for the event, less than are usually registered this close to the event. Hotston suspects the Subaru Vancouver International Half Ironman and Sprint Triathlon, which is also scheduled for July 13, has attracted many of the Squamish Triathlon's past participants."I hope entries will climb this week," he said. The top three male and female finishers receive $1,000, $500 and $250 respectively, while merchandise prizes are awarded to the top three finishers in each age group.The cost of registration is $85 for adults or $65 for youth (ages 18-19). A relay team of three costs $156 and a relay team of two costs $104. The triathlon's net proceeds are donated to the Robert W. McIntosh Scholarship Fund. Over the last few years, nearly $30,000 has been awarded to 20 high school students who have balanced academic and athletic performance while demonstrating community involvement.This year, Miranda Miller and Brad White were awarded the scholarships.Those wishing to register can visit the website at www.squamishtriathlon.org.
