Posted: June 17, 2005

Triathlon: World Masters Games Triathlon Boasts Largest Number of Participants Among Events

With registrations now closed, triathlon has attracted about 900 entrants, positioning it as the event with the highest number of registrants among all 27 events in the 2005 World Masters Games. This surpasses local organizers’ expectations of 600 racers in the 30 year+ age group (based on previous years’ experience) who will be competing at two different distances (sprint and Olympic distance).

To organize these races, the World Masters Games committee enlisted the support of the local organizing committee of the Edmonton World Cup Triathlon – an experienced team that has been staging international triathlons in Hawrelak Park since 2000. “We are thrilled with the explosive interest that Masters athletes have expressed in this sport,” said Sheila O’Kelly, Executive Director of Edmonton World Cup Triathlon. “While we have a highly experienced team that is able to anticipate the needs of such a large field of athletes, a 50% increase in our target will certainly tax our resources.” According to O’Kelly, the surge in registrations will put pressure on everything from medical beds to bike racks to bottled water and portable toilets.

Organizers attribute the large number of registrations to triathlon’s growing world wide popularity and the attraction of the ITU World Cup event. “Triathlon is one of the few sports in which amateur and elite athletes can be found racing on the same course on the same day,” said J.D. Hole, Chairman of Edmonton World Cup Triathlon “Imagine playing hockey with your old-timer pals in the morning and then sticking around to watch Gretzky and Howe play on the same ice in the afternoon”.

Triathlon has been one of the most popular individual sports all through our registration," says Barry Anderson, Executive Director of the Edmonton 2005 World Masters Games. "To have nearly 900 now registered from 17 countries, hundreds more that anticipated, is extraordinary and reflects the growing popularity of this sport. It will be a great international event as Masters athletes take to this world-class triathlon course in Edmonton's beautiful river valley."

The Masters triathlon is one of five triathlons that Edmonton will host on July 23rd. A total of more than 1200 triathletes, ranging from ages 12 to 75 will test themselves on the challenging course. The pinnacle event of the day will be the International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Cup event. Returning again this year are former Olympic gold medalist Simon Whitfield, and the winner of the 2004 Edmonton World Cup Triathlon, Samantha McGlone. They will be joined by an elite field of international athletes all of whom will be racing for a share of the $75,000 US prize purse.

Organizers are anticipating a significant increase in spectators this year. Entrance to the park is free but stadium seating will be at a premium. Grandstand tickets are now on sale at Ticketmaster (780) 451-8000 or online at www.ticketmaster.ca.

For further information, contact: Mary Nicol, Edmonton World Cup Triathlon Public Relations (780) 408-6375/cell (780) 233-7674 or Marcie Bonstrom Arnold cell at (780) 982-1077.

Website: www.triedmonton.com

For more information on the World Masters Games go to www.2005worldmasters.com.