BARRHEAD - Organizers of Barrhead’s Tri on the Trail say the community’s new triathlon exceeded expectations, drawing nearly 90 registrants and more than 80 finishers.
Barrhead's Tri on the Trial race coordinator, Casey-Lee Cox, said the event on Sunday, Aug. 24, couldn't have gone any better. It was the first triathlon in the community nearly a dozen years after the town hosted the last event.
The last time the community held a triathlon was in September 2013, with upwards of 100 women competing in the Queen of Hearts Triathlon.
The organizing committee of the Queen of Hearts, which began in 2010, was in the process of planning an expanded event when the old aquatics centre's life came to an abrupt end in February 2014, only two months after the municipality hired a new aquatics supervisor, after it was deemed unsafe.
"It went really well," she said, adding that, going into the event, they would have been happy with 50 people competing. "But we ended up having 89 registers and 82 who ended up competing on race day. That is just amazing. We got a lot of great feedback from our competitors as well as our volunteers."
As for why someone from Gibbons wanted to revive a triathlon in Barrhead, Cox said she grew up in Barrhead and only left the community 15 years ago with her husband.
"We still have a lot of connections and family in Barrhead, and my kids come out all the time. I used to race in the Queen of Hearts, and when it was cancelled, it was really disheartening," she said. "So, when I saw the new pool had opened and the swim club rebooted, I approached the parks and recreation department and asked them, 'Why aren't we doing this? They said we'll back you if you go ahead and plan it. Things just started rolling from there."
In February, Cox asked Town of Barrhead council via a letter to use the Barrhead Regional Aquatics Centre, the Agrena's Charles Godberson Rotary Room, the curling rink rent-free, along with a large portion of the parking lot surrounding the swimming pool, curling rink and Blue Heron Bowl for the duration of the event. In July, Cox received the final approval from the council, which included the necessary road closures to host the event.
"It was a little rushed. We had already started advertising, and shortly after receiving approval, registrations began to come in," she said.
Cox said it was quite an undertaking, noting that close to 40 volunteers were needed to put on the event, none of whom were left over from the old Queen of Hearts Triathlon.
"But we were very fortunate to have a few people who had volunteered at other triathlons. Of those who didn't had some sporting experience," she said. "It was just a great event, and I am so glad we were able to bring the triathlon back to Barrhead. I can't wait to see what next year will look like."
To see how your favourite competitor fared, visit www.zone4.ca and type Tri on the Trail in the search box.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
