Elizabeth Bruce wins 16th annual Kincardine Women's Triathlon

Elizabeth Bruce of Kingston was very excited to win the 16th annual Kincardine Women's Triathlon, Saturday morning, at Station Beach.

The Bruce Beach cottager joined her fellow triathletes in a duathlon, after the rough water of Lake Huron was deemed unsafe and the swim portion of the triathlon was cancelled.

This is Bruce's ninth year competing and she is thrilled to finally have a win after placing fourth, two years in a row.

"This is a great race because I get to run with my three sisters and my niece," she said. Joining her, were Kathryn Bruce of Toronto who won her age category, Alison Bruce of Halliburton and Emily Bruce of Kingston.

"We're definitely coming back again next year," said Bruce.

Following Bruce in the top 10, were Sophie Hotchkiss of Kincardine, Alison Turnbull of Toronto, Lorraine Dietz of Bayfield, Lucy Langis of Goderich, Britni Rowe of Port Elgin, Tori Zurbrigg of Port Perry, Kelly Cescon of Toronto, Barbara Riley of Brooklin, and Paula Mackie of Wingham.

Nicole O'Hagan of Uxbridge won the duathlon, followed by Jessie Catto of Kincardine, Danielle Gordon of Owen Sound, Jennifer Roy of Waterloo, Meghan Bester of Kincardine, Sandy Smith of Mississauga, Sarah Saunders of Mount Forest, Shanann Josling of Blyth, Lesley Anderson of Walkerton, and Candice Quinn of Port Elgin.

Team JAB of Teeswater, consisting of Amy Byers, Brooke Jez and Janine Jez, won the relay event, followed by KBA of Walkerton, Givin' it a Tri of Goderich, Menage a Tri of Clinton, Fast Gals of London, Whoa-Manns of Waterloo, Lorne Beach Babes of Waterloo, Team Wham of Mississauga, Team Majic of Thornhill, and Lorne Beach Ladies of Mississauga.

For complete results, check the website at: www.chiptimeresults.com.

Not only was the swim portion cancelled, but the weather was chilly and wet, making it a bit treacherous for the bikers on the wet pavement. However, there were no injuries and the event ran smoothly.

Race director Kim Westbrook said she was disappointed that the swim was cancelled, "but we made the right decision to ensure the safety of our competitors. This is a 'try-tri run' and we have a lot of novice competitors. The water temperature was 20 degrees Celsius at 8 a.m. which was perfect, but the water was too rough and wavy."

She said 450 participants were registered for the race, but some were unable to compete. She thanked everyone who helped out with the event, including, sponsors, co-ordinators and volunteers.

"We have a great course," she said. "It's not very difficult, even though there are a couple of tough hills for the bikers. Next year, we hope the weather will co-operate. Perhaps we'll increase the number of registrants to 500."

Triathlete Sandy Elston of Kincardine said she understood why the swim was cancelled but she was still disappointed.

"The biking part was hard," she said. "It was really windy in those open parts of the course; that was tough. However, I'm glad it didn't pour rain because that would be difficult for the novice bikers on slick pavement."

Emma McIsaac of Barrie, whose aunt, Kelly Young lives in Kincardine, said the swim portion is her strongest part of the event, so she was upset that it was cancelled.

"I still finished and that's the important part," she said. "This is my second duathlon out of four triathlon events; that's not bad odds. When I was out on the bike course, I saw the lake and I understood why the swim was cancelled. It was a beautiful bike ride; it's a great course!"

Some athletes participating in the Kincardine Women's Triathlon, had faced some major challenges even before they headed out on the race.

Tammy MacDonald-Betterley used to weigh 350 pounds and every day was a struggle. She lost 130 pounds and decided she would run the triathlon.

"That's what this race is all about," she said. "Empowerment and challenging yourself. A new challenge. Challenging myself to see what I am capable of. I chose the Kincardine Women's Triathlon to be my first real physical challenge as these are my roots. My family is from around here. Someone you know may have got milk from the Swan Dairy or maybe my Grandfather Stewart taught someone you know.

"This is where I am most comfortable. I have spent many nights in Kincardine, camping and watching the sunsets and listening to the pipes. Nowhere better to be. I am stronger than ever before, happier than ever before, more content than ever before  How lucky am I to be on this journey with the most amazing support? I am already a winner because of them. I already told them when I haven't finished by sunset, it's okay because the sunsets of Lake Huron are some of the most beautiful sights you will ever see."

Other competitors spoke of celebrating their 40th or 60th birthdays at the race, or competing while being pregnant, or taking on the Kincardine event as their first race.

Friday night, an Expo event was held, providing an opportunity for early registration and a chance for competitors to check out suppliers of triathlon equipment and a variety of health products.