By Sarah Madussi

The much-anticipated triathlon is once again on the Canada Day schedule after being scrapped earlier this spring.

Both the adult and kids triathlons were canceled when the former committee stepped down after years of volunteer work and planning and no one stepped up to keep the event alive.Now, just a few weeks before Canada Day, a new face stepped up to get the event back on the program.

Cindy Smith could not see the popular event die to a lack of volunteers so she stepped in to spearhead the committee.“My son got his start in the Canada Day triathlon and now he competes in the Iron Man competitions so I decided to step up and get the event going again this year.”Smith says the event will run the same as usual with a cool new feature added.

Electronic chip timing will be used to time the triathletes instead of the traditional stopwatches. Each athlete wears a small chip that electronically records their time as they pass over an electronic mat at the finish line.

The triathlon includes a swimming portion along the Wabigoon River. The swimmers exit the water at Cooper Park and tag off to their biking partner or hop on the bikes themselves. The bikers hit the road, traveling down Earl to Duke and head left to Hwy 594, turning around at Samson Road, roughly 10km from town and head back to Cooper Park. The final leg of the race includes a five kilometer run through the Gamble subdivision and back.

Smith adds that they are hoping to attract athletes from Thunder Bay, Winnipeg and the rest of the region to ensure good competition for the event.All participants will receive a t-shirt with trophies, metals and prizes to be won. Food and refreshments will also be available and the start/finish line.

With only a few weeks to go, many volunteers are still needed to get the triathlon off the ground. Those interested in signing up for the triathlons can pick up registration forms at the Dryden Pool and Fitness Centre or contact Cindy Smith at pc.smith@shaw.ca.