Cool, sunny weather comes just in time for Sydenham Triathlon

Jeff Green | Jul 13, 2016

Organizers from Somersault Events did not know what to expect as they set up under stormy skies on Saturday evening (July 9) for this year's Sydenham Triathlon.

Fortunately, the rain, heat and humidity blew over, leading to cool, slightly overcast weather on race day Sunday.

“The unsettled weather and the forecast had an impact on our race day registration, but even the participation was good. In its 7th year, Sydenham remains a solid event for us. The Point Park is really a great location. The roads for cycling are not too busy; the trail is right there for the run; and the lake is great,” said Christine McKinty of Somersault. The company runs a number of triathlons in Ottawa, where it is based, as well as the Brockville, Smiths Falls and Sydenham Triathlons.

The Sydenham Triathlon includes an Olympic distance triathlon as well as a shorter sprint triathlon, a duathlon, a short Tri-a-Tri event for beginners, as well as a 5km and 10 km run.

“We have events for every level of athlete, and for all ages,” said McKinty.

The Sydenham Triathlon is popular with athletes from Kingston and Frontenac County, and would be more popular with athletes from Ottawa and west Quebec, according to McKinty, but for a lack of accommodations.

“It is very hard to get a room in Kingston on the weekend of the triathlon because there is so much going on there,” she said.

Most participants who travel from a distance stay with friends or family that have cottages in the region because there is not a lot available nearby. Even camping opportunities are limited.

“We have thought about extending to a Saturday event, because it is such an ideal location and the people from Ottawa really enjoy visiting here and always say how beautiful it is. But the accommodation issue has held us back,” she said.

The results from the triathlon show how popular it is with athletes from the local area, as three of the top 10 men in the Olympic Triathlon, including the winner, Jeff McCue (2:18:23), are from Kingston.

In the women's Olympic event, which was won by Jutta Merilainen of Batawa, the top 10 all came from different Ontario locations, including Gananoque, Stirling, Smith Falls and Perth.

Local athletes who shone in other events include 15-year-old Rayden Shelter from Syenham (3rd in the male 5 km run) and 12-year-old Avery Nelder (7th in the female 5 km run).

Clive Morgan from Yarker finished 3rd in the male Sprint Triathlon event; Nick Vanderschoor from Perth Road Village finished 5th; and Patrick Gilmour from Inverary finished in 8th place.

Also, Sandy Roberston from Sharbot Lake was the fastest woman in the 55-59 age group in the Sprint event. Patri Kelly from Harrowsmith was the fastest in the Swim-Cycle event. In the male Super Sprint event, Jason Nelder from Sydenham finished first; Jacob Beckwith, also of Sydenham, finished in 4th place; and Therol Peterson from Glenburnie was 9th. Among the women, Nora Bond from Battersea finished 1st and Erin Peterson from Glenburnie finished 9th.