The 12th annual Billy Loutit Triathlon, Duathlon and Kids of Steel event is scheduled for July 26 and 27.
Each year, more than 70 athletes compete and support Athabasca’s history.
In 1904, a flood occurred in Athabasca. William Loutit ran from Athabasca to Edmonton to tell of the town’s emergency.
The trip was made over flooded roads and undeveloped terrain. A short 16 hours after departing from Athabasca, Loutit arrived in Edmonton. He was an hour faster than a messenger on horseback.
“We would like to grow it,” said organizer Mark Francis of the race. “We are not at the point where we can host 200, but we want to grow it and continue to see it move forward.”
One challenge to growing the triathlon in the adult division is the current pool.
“The adult section is hard to grow because of the current pool configuration and size,” Francis explained. “It is hard to have more athletes in the pool at once.”
However, Francis wants to see more kids involved in the Kids of Steel event.
“For the Kids of Steel, that can grow, and we would love to build the interest,” he said. “It is not about skill. It is not about winning. In the Kids of Steel, there are different categories, and the distances are very reasonable for kids that haven’t trained.”
Francis said this event is feasible for people of all skill and fitness levels.
“When people consider a triathlon, they are thinking marathon distances,” Francis said. “We also have team events.”
The team events allow two or more people to enter for the different sections of the event.
“You can have someone do the swimming, you can do the running, and someone else can bike. You can divide it up that way,” Francis said. “You can still get involved in the triathlon, but maybe use that as a first step.”
Another option is to join the duathlon.
“It is just running and biking,” Francis said. “We have taken out the swimming component.”
Previously, when Francis asked people why they didn’t participate, the number one answer he got was that they were not a strong swimmer or couldn’t swim at all.
“Taking out the swimming is a way to get involved,” he said.
The race is always looking for volunteers and athletes.
“We are looking for sponsorships from local businesses,” he added. “Anyone that would like, they can contact me at 780-675-0398.”
Francis also stated that people can register for the event online at www.billyloutit.ca.
“We are expecting registration to start coming in now,” he said. “There is a registration deadline of Friday, July 18.”
Francis said people can register after July 18, but it doesn’t guarantee them a t-shirt or a spot in the race.
“Traditionally, we take registrations right up to the day of if we can accommodate them,” he said.
The day is all about having fun.
There is a BBQ on Sunday, and there will be a Kids of Steel awards breakfast at the pool on Sunday, too.
“Healthy communities have their events, their history, and that is a piece of our history, and that is why we celebrate it,” Francis said. “Billy’s family comes up every year from Seattle.”
Several members of the Loutitt family (the modern spelling takes an extra “t”) have competed in the triathlon over the years.
