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The Self-Transcendence Triathlon and Duathlon
29th Annual Triathlon (1980-2008) - Canada's longest running triathlon
2008 Provincial Race Series
18th Annual Duathlon
2008 Provincial Race Series
August 3, 2008, Elk Lake, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Vicnews.com writes about the inspiration behind our triathlon.
- Check out Victor Vandenboomen's exceptional story from the 2007 Self-Transcendence Triathlon
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On that long ago Sunday in 1980, when a mere 40 participants hit the waters of Elk Lake in one single wave, they didn’t realize that they were making history in one of first Triathlons ever to be held in Canada. The year 2008 marks our 29th Annual Triathlon! We are looking forward to the participation of athletes from all over the province and beyond to help us maintain our reputation not only as the longest running triathlon in Canada, but also as the friendliest.
The motivation behind our race has always been to encourage each individual to compete against herself or himself and to provide the best possible conditions and support for them to go beyond what they have previously accomplished. In line with that philosophy the name of the race changed along the way from the Sri Chinmoy Triathlon/Duathlon to the Self-Transcendence Triathlon/Duathlon.
The organizers, too, have always endeavoured to provide better support for the athletes. First it was in the desire to offer sumptuous post-race food, complete results in the hands of participants before they left the race site (of course that was in the days before we graduated to race chips and computerized results posted on the Web almost before the competitors reach home). We wanted to offer free action photos to everyone then free photos available before leaving the site.
To accommodate and inspire non-swimmers we included a simultaneous Duathlon event. In recent years, with a desire to improve, we changed from an out/back swim route to a triangular course at the request of the competitors. In 2006 and 2007 we have introduced a number of improvements, again in response to feed-back we received from the athletes. These include:
- Addition of Athena and Clydesdale age classes
- Change to 5 year age categories.
- Relay team categories for both Triathlon and Duathlon.
- Presentation of a perpetual annual Challenge Cup to the first place Rec Center Triathlon relay team.
- Triathlon relay category for police/fire/paramedics to compete for a perpetual annual Challenge Cup.
- Addition of SuperMasters Relay Teams (combined age of 160+)
What we like best about the Self-Transcendence Triathlon/Duathlon is that it is a community event. Every year we have over 100 faithful volunteers who transcend themselves in the quality of the expertise they offer and the enthusiasm of their support for the competitors. And every year local businesses very generously contribute draw prizes for the athletes and volunteers.
Not only is this a friendly, welcoming race offering great encouragement and support for first-time triathletes and duathletes, but the interesting and beautiful course also offer continuing challenges for repeat competitors including elite athletes.
Do join us on Sunday, August 3, 2008 as a competitor or a volunteer. And if you have any ideas about how to make our 29th year even better, feel free to contact us!
Photo Credit: Mark Creery and Blazej Neradilek
