While Drumheller’s DinoFest conjures up images of laughter, bouncy houses, giant barbecued turkey drumsticks and a dino-sized movie feature, for some it means personal challenge, sweat, and discipline.
These are the athletes who are taking on the third annual DinoFest Triathlon. The event goes at 9 a.m. on June 14 to kick off DinoFest.
Morgan Syvertsen has taken lead on fostering the growth of the event and says in its third year, interest continues to grow.
“It already has as many signed up as we had last year so it is requiring some changes,” said Syvertsen, adding this year they are seeing registrations from out of town.
The event includes a sprint course with a 750-metre swim, a 20-kilometre cycle and the 5-kilometre run. There is also an Olympic distance with a 1,500- metre swim, a 40 kilometre cycle and a 10 kilometre run.
Racers can take on the course as an individual or as part of a team.
Because of the greater numbers, they are moving the swim portion of the contest indoors to accommodate more swimmers and still start at the same time. Other small additions include larger bike racks and transition areas.
The DinoFest people are accommodating our growth,” he said.
Syvertsen says it has been a slow evolution to build the event at its own pace. He says there is potential to make it a premier event.
“If we were to advertise with some of the other triathlon clubs around Southern Alberta, we could have a really big race, but we are not ready to do that,” said Syvertsen. “This is going to be the next step up because we are doing race numbers and a more organized and controlled swim. This will be a good test to see if we can pull it off with double the numbers, then we can think about more next year.”
“I would be happy to see 50 this year, that would be double of last year,” he said.
For more information or to register, e-mail drumhellertriathalon@gmail.com or call 403-823-7986.
