Volunteer Megan Coulter with the City of Lloydminster directs young swimmers to the bike transition during the ATB Financial Lloydminster Triathlon at Bud Miller All Seasons Park on Friday. Geoff Lee Meridian Source
The ATB Financial Lloydminster Triathlon almost runs on automatic as an annual swim, bike and run event for kids at Bud Miller All Seasons Park.
That’s the way it seemed for organizers at the ninth edition of the event held on Friday under favourable weather conditions.
That notion got a nod and an affirmative yes from race director Cindy Rekimowich who revealed the secret race sauce.
“We have a great committee that works hard and everybody knows their role and comes back every year and helps us out,” she said.
“We don’t even need to look for athletes or volunteers. They all come to us, so it’s nice.”
“There’s over 800 athletes competing all day with probably over 100 volunteers, so it is a great day.”
ATB is also the perennial title sponsor of the event with Devin Selte, managing director on hand to explain why they continue to rubber stamp their support.
“I think the biggest thing is probably just investing back in our community,” he said.
“When we think about this, we can really promote great health within the community. Having kids out there running, biking and swimming, we think that’s a great partnership for what we stand for at ATB.”
What sold Selte on continuing the sponsorship after being on the job in Lloyd for about 18 months was seeing so many kids still wearing ATB triathlon T-shirts at last year’s Lloyd Ex summer fair parade.
“I thought this was fantastic— let’s continue to sponsor this and see what we can do from a volunteer perspective as well,” he said.
Having a triathlon to take part in was a thrill for 12-year-old Garrett Davies from St. Thomas School who signed up as a rookie swimmer on a team with two of his buddies.
He was tasked with swimming a quarter mile and noted he trained by swimming one hour every Sunday for a few weeks.
“This is my first time; I don’t really care who wins, I just want to have fun with my friends,” he said.
This year’s triathlon also included a special qualifier event for the upcoming Saskatchewan Summer Games to be hosted by the city July 21-27.
One of the busiest persons at the site venue all day was Jim Taylor, owner of Grindin’ Gears Bikes n’ Boards, who shows up each year to volunteer his bike-tuning skills.
After adjusting the handlebars for eight-year-old cyclist, Sadie Bristow, Taylor listed some of the other last-minute bike troubles of the day.
“We have some wobbly wheels, we’ve got some sticky brakes—so making them work,” he said with a laugh and a bike tool in hand.
“Every year it’s super fun. Every year more and more kids and more bikes need repair. I’m excited and this event is awesome. It can’t get much better.”
Volunteer Clint Vetter, who had the day off, was also loving his second crack as a volunteer.
“It’s good getting the kids going and getting them excited about something outdoors and getting some exercise,” he said.
“I’m body marking today, getting them starting right.”
Vetter was also pumped to cheer on his 10-year-old daughter in a team event.
Read More: Triathletes to say cheese at finish line
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