Despite almost torrential rains on the day of the event, the fifth Annual Squamish Youth Triathlon attracted more than 130 competitors Sunday (May 15) at Brennan Park Recreation Centre.
"It turned out really well," said organizer Roz Gilbert. "We had hoped to get somewhere between 100 and 150 kids to come out to compete and we ended up with 134 kids, so we did what we intended to do."
Gilbert said the young competitors didn't even seem to mind the bad weather.
"When I looked outside on the day of the event, I was a little concerned," she confided. "But, none of the kids complained about the rain or even made comments about it. They were all really great."
Last year, the triathlon had to be cancelled due to lack of volunteers, said Gilbert.
"This was the fifth year that Squamish held the event, but we didn't have it last year," she said. "Last year, I think the plan had been to have local sporting clubs be in charge of each of the three parts of the triathlon, but it just couldn't get organized in time for the race."
Luckily, several community members, including Gilbert, were intent on seeing the triathlon take place this year.
"There were a couple of us who really wanted to see this event happen," she said. "Marcia Collier was the one who really got the ball rolling and then I got involved, along with Helle Wilburn from the Squamish Titans, who we relied on quite a bit to run the triathlon."
Triathlon BC and Kids of Steel, a national youth triathlon development program, officially sanctioned Sunday's event.
Squamish youths swam, biked and ran in either individual or relay races - in four different age categories. Local mom Gina Parry registered each of her three sons for the event.
"It's a great way for kids to be active and healthy," she said. "My husband is a runner, so the three boys have been to races since they were very young. Today it's our turn to cheer for them."
Parry's youngest son Luke, 5, said he was excited to compete."You get to exercise and have fun," he said. "I'm looking forward to the swimming part."
Gilbert said the event would not have come off so well were it not for the generous support of Squamish residents and businesses.
"The support from the community was just awesome," she said. "From the amazing crew at Brennan Park to the businesses and all our volunteers - you just can't do this type of event without community support."
Next year, Gilbert said she hopes to see the triathlon become an official event of Kids of Steel.
