Hundreds of triathletes from all around B.C. were put to the ultimate fitness test on Sunday.
The Victoria Half and Sprint Triathlon took place for the first time since the pandemic. The competition took athletes through the waters at Elk Lake, on their bikes around the Saanich Peninsula, and then sprinting to the finish line at Hamsterly Beach.
Paul Regensburg, event director of the Victoria Half and Sprint Triathlon, said it was great to see the event return, noting its social and economic benefits for the community.
“The social impact, healthy activity, families, people coming together. You know as human beings we’re meant to have events,” said Regensburg.”There’s definitely an economic impact with people travelling here, staying in hotels, spending money on bikes and food and stuff like that.”
Patrick Simoneau, who participated in the event, said the competition was engaging and beneficial, both physically and mentally.
“It was splendid, I loved it. The roads were nice as was everything,” said race participant Simoneau. “I think it instills fitness in everyone and shows what the body can do. If it encourages one person to come out and participate next year, I think it’s a success.”
The Victoria Half and Sprint Triathlon has been around for more than 25 years and has become famous for its commemorative “hoodie” that the participants can receive. The top three finishers in each age group will earn a Tri-B.C. provincial championship medal.
Mohammed Hussain
