“The Triton” (Tri-It-On) will be held at Credit Union Place in Summerside on the Monday of May long weekend (May 21).
As it is only a pilot, it has beeen decided that we only open it up to Bantam, Midget, and Senior aged students (Gr. 7 and up). As the biking and running courses are still being finalized, the following are only estimated distances. They should be fairly close to these numbers in the end.
Bantam: Swim 300m (12x25m lengths) – Bike 8.1 km (3×2.7km bike loops) – Run 1.4 km (1×1.4 km loop)
Midget: Swim 400m (16x25m lengths) – Bike 8.1 km (3×2.7km bike loops) – Run 2.8 km (2×1.4km loops)
Senior: Swim 500m (20x25m lengths) – Bike 16.2 km (6×2.7km bike loops) – Run 4.2 km (3×1.4km loops)
The Triton starts in the pool at 10:00am sharp. We will go in waves starting with the Bantams with 20 minute intervals – there are six lanes with 2 students per athlete so 12 students will start every 20 minutes. They will then proceed outside to the transition area where they will bike their distance (on pavement and gravel so mountain bikes would be best), return for the run, then return for the finish. I will make this much clearer with maps and routes for all of you prior to the race on May 21.
There will be a minimal cost per student. The school may pay for the students or pass it off to each athlete. It is up to the individual school. Right now, we are still waiting on costs of swim caps, shirts, permits for trails, and the pool rental cost. I’ll let you know more as soon as I get that information.
For now, what you all could do for me is start putting the bug into your students’ ears. Let them know what a triathlon is. The major concern for my students is the swim. They do not need to swim 300-500m straight. They can swim 25m (1 length) then rest. They can stand on the bottom if they wish – they just can’t advance while standing.
I would also like you to push that this is not a “race”. There will be no trophies or banners for the top finishers. I am trying to reach the student who may not be into team sports and who is nervous about not winning. There is no winner for this triathlon. Much like the PEI marathon, 99% of us don’t run it to win. We do it for the mere satifaction and the intrinsic rewards of participating. It will be timed, so they know their final time which will help them work towards improving it the following year.
Finally, if you could also put word out in the community that we will need volunteers. I’ll need lap counters, transition helpers, registrars, clean-up crew, set-up and breaking down of transition area, road and trail officials, and on and on.
I hope to get back to all of you around early February when more details have been finalized. I should also note that Rick MacKinnon and Barb McNeill (at the pool) have been very helpful. And huge thanks to Cheryl Tanton who is a great colleague who I can bounce ideas off of and look to for support and guidance.
Thanks! That’s all for now. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments.
CJ Studer
Athletic Director
Athena Consolidated School
150 Ryan Street, Summerside
PE C1N 6G2
(902)888-8486 (phone)
(902)888-8487 (fax)
cjstuder@edu.pe.ca
