Hill reaches ‘impossible’ heights
If someone had told me that a person could complete two “deca-triathlons” in one summer, and throw in a triple just for fun, I would have said they were delusional.
After all, that’s the equivalent of 23 Ironman Triathlons — at once. Vernon’s Shanda Hill did just that by finishing another Deca-Triathlon in Mexico recently. Not only did she finish, but was sixth overall and top woman.
What an incredible athlete, and also a lovely person. I’m proud just to know her.
She also set a world record, becoming the fist woman to ever do two decas in one year.
A spokesperson for the International Ultra Triathlon Association on Monday confirmed Hill’s new record as the first female to complete two continuous deca races in one calendar year, calling the Canadian athlete “amazing.”
Hill, 35, ran over the finish line at the Deca Ultra Triathlon in Leon, Mexico, on the weekend, coming in first in the women’s division. Athletes from around the world took part in the event which included a 38-kilometre swim, an 1,800-km bike ride and a 422-km run.
A deca ultra-triathlon is 10 times the distance covered in an Ironman competition.
* * * Kelowna’s Jordan Cheyne made a name for himself at the Tour Of Hainan five-day stage bike race in China.
A fantastic breakaway on the first day almost gave him the win until the main pack caught him with only 600 meters to go.
He was in another unsuccessful breakaway the next day. He had a wonderful race leading his Jelly Belly Pro team and finishing 16th overall.
* * * The Interior Running Association finished its 2017 season and has a large list of age-class winners from both the Canadian Tire Road Race and the Starting Block Cross Country series. I will mention here only a select few who managed to win their age class in both series — Carman-Anne Schulz (F60-64, Kamloops), Josh Heinrich (M35-39, Penticton) and the indomitable Bruce Butcher (M80-84, Kamloops).
Some especially addicted runners managed to complete all the races in both series. This involves many miles of driving, many miles of running and a strong set of legs.
To honour this achievement, the runners receive the Legs Of Steel award. Mel Doherty of Kamloops won this award again. Mel has not missed an IRA road race since 1998, and has only missed a cross-country run when it coincided with a marathon that he had entered.
His streak of continuous IRA road races has now reached close to 250. The other Legs Of Steel awards this year went to Schulz and Heinrich.
For full results of both series, go to interiorrunningassociation.com.
West Kelowna’s Janice Bradshaw, one of my old running pals, has had another great year.
She won her age class in the X-C series and was second in the Road Race series. She ran five of the eight road races and all of the X-C runs; additionally, she competed in the Dirty Feet trail race series, winning her class (F50-54) and finishing in the top five women overall.
She is entered in the Fall Classic race in Vancouver next Sunday, her 27th race of the year. The final race in the Dirty Feet series was the Tunnel Run on Nov. 5.
This was a 20K run along the KVR trail out of Penticton. The race certainly did not go as planned since no one expected to wake up to several inches of snow on the trail.
Misty Palm of Kamloops was the women’s winner and Kelowna’s Zach Jackman won the men’s race. Bradshaw won her class again.
* * * The Kelowna club’s most fun event, the annual Pub To Pub relay, takes place Sunday.
This relay sees teams of six runners complete a total of roughly 32 kilometers in outlandish costumes. Each runner must down a glass of beer at the pub at the end of their leg before the next runner on their team can start.
It’s surprising how difficult it is for some people to drink quickly after a hard run, while others have no problem. Hilarity often results.
The club’s Christmas dinner and dance will be held on Dec. 2 at Michaelbrook Ranch. For tickets, call Corrine at 250-764-9114.
* * * The 10th annual Central Okanagan Hall Of Fame induction ceremonies take place Nov. 16, 7-9 a.m. at the Capri Hotel (breakfast is included). For tickets, call Dana at the Kelowna Museum, 250-763-2417.
This is a great event, come and see Kelowna’s finest athletes receive this great honor.
Bill Stephens is a Kelowna-based runner and writer. His column appears regularly.