These were some of the first kids to dash to the bike transition after swimming a few laps in the Bioclean Aquatic Centre during the ATB Financial Triathlon last Friday under sunny skies. Geoff Lee Meridian Source
The ATB Financial Lloydminster Triathlon is at the point where it almost runs itself.
This year’s swim, bike and run event at Bud Miller All Seasons Park went off in near auto mode last Friday, despite more than 800 kids from all Lloydminster schools taking part.
“Every year, we dust off the cobwebs and put it together,” said Cindy Rekimowich, manager of programs and events with the City of Lloydminster, just minutes before race orientation.
One of the secret event ingredients, according to Rekimowich, is the event partnerships listing Lakeland College, both school divisions, the City of Lloydminster and a whole bunch of sponsors.
Another factor is having the same 10-member organizing committee since day one.
“We’ve been doing this for a number of years and the same people just keep coming out and we get more volunteers every year,” said Rekimowich with the sun shining.
“It’s going to be a great day.”
Jim Taylor, owner of Grindin Gears Bikes n’ Boards, found himself with far fewer bikes to tweak this year thanks to the well-oiled organizing machine.
“The triathlon committee did a good job in getting the work out there so it’s a much more organized year as far as bike repair went,” said Taylor.
As for the weather, he said, “You can’t beat the day when you get sunshine.”
The sunny skies also made race director, Anthony Bender, feel amazing and stoked for the kids.
“The weather is cooperating and we have so many volunteers here this morning. This has gone so smoothly, probably the smoothest one ever. We are ready to rock,” he said.
“The kids are so excited, they’re nervous, but that’s good nervous.”
That was the case for Oscar, the youngest of three sons of Mackenzie Brown, who seemed dialled in on the task ahead and left questions to his dad.
“This is Ozzie (Oscar), he’s my 7-year-old; he’s ready to go,” said Brown, who noted his other sons Cohen, nine, and Ellis 11, are all going solo with fun being the goal.
“I think this is our fourth year being here,” said Brown.
He was one of the hundreds of dads and family members in the mix, which Bender says is a positive side effect the committee never could have planned for.
“That just happened organically, so all good stuff,” he said.
The triathlon has become a family event for Tracy Matthews, the volunteer event coordinator.
“My entire family participates in some way shape or form. I have one child competing this year and all my kids have volunteered for the program for the past 10 years,” said Matthews.
“My husband and I and my older (kids) are all volunteers, so it’s just giving back to the community.”
Her role is to find enough volunteers to keep the event running smoothly, and there is no shortage of unpaid help.
“We actually have a lot of people who just come because they want to be here and a lot of parents who want to be part of the action,” said Matthews.
“We are excited to get going another year.”
Bender is the acting principal at École St. Thomas and says the kids’ triathlon goes beyond the competition, in his opinion, with some life lessons to be learned.
“This is more about life-long activity than it is about anything. If you want to learn about collaboration, this is collaboration at its best,” he said.
“When you get three young people who aren’t really sure what to do and they have to work together to figure it out (along with the parents), just to try it, is a success.”
Collaboration was top of mind for young first-time swimming triathlete Jayd Scherger.
“I’m swimming with my team and my friend Jazzlyn is biking and my friend Lily is running,” said the 10-year-old.
Her mom, Danielle, was also in a triathlon of sorts having to keep watch on three of her girls.
“I’ve got a lot of watching to do and cheering,” she said.
- Story updated June 22. We apologize for mis-identifying race director Anthony Bender.
