CANADIAN RACE

Rockwood Triathlon by the Bay, N.B.

THE HISTORIC CITY of Saint John, N.B., has much to offer tourists and triathletes. If you’re a bit of both, you’ll probably love Rockwood Triathlon by the Bay on June 21, 2020. But don’t wait too long to sign up, because there’s a cap of 150 participants in this sprint-based event.

You can choose from sprint triathlon, sprint duathlon, sprint aquabike and super sprint. This year, for the first time, the triathlon will be a qualifying race for spots on Team Canada for the

2021 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final in Bermuda.

Race director Doug Barrett says the race has been around since the 1980s.

“The race was started around

1984 as a non-sanctioned, sort of fun event by a number of likeminded friends,” he explains. “It continued off and on for about 20 years, then in 2006, the Fundy Extreme Triathlon Club in Saint John took it over and has built it into the race that it is today.”

Though it’s a small race, Barrett, who is also president of the club, says, “My mantra is to offer a sprint tri event that is well organized and offers value to all of our athletes. Our race team are seasoned triathletes so we stick with the philosophy of doing this distance well and not worrying about putting on a large race – but a great race.”

The event is part of the East Coast Games, which runs a Kids of Steel event the day before at the same venue, Rockwood Park. It is one of the geosites within the Stonehammer Geopark, the only UNESCO-supported global geopark in North America. It is also known as the largest municipal park in Canada at almost 900 square hectares with over 55 trails and footpaths.

“The racecourse has been the same for the last three years and will continue this year,” says

Barrett. The open swim happens in Lily Lake and the bike heads into the city. Barrett thinks this may be the most unique part of the race. “It is a 20K out and back format which launches you out of a tranquil park setting, and immediately onto a steep descent over a busy highway. It then guides you along the heavy industry of Courtenay Bay on the Bay of Fundy. This part of the city is home to the largest oil refinery in North America and cyclists can almost reach out and touch the oil tankers that are docked in the bay.”

Once through this busy stretch, cyclists have some quiet before reaching the turn around.

“At this point you are rewarded with both an enjoyable descent and a view of the city not often seen in everyday life,” describes Barrett. “You look over the bay and you see a lighthouse in the mouth of the bay on Partridge Island, which was the first stop for Irish immigrants who were quarantined after reaching Saint John following the potato famine. Monuments to the War of 1812 still stand quietly where they once protected the harbour so long ago.”

In Rockwood Park, this diverse race takes runners past several lakes and through the woods.

“We have received positive feedback about our run course which was designed by Ironman coach Daryl Steeves,” says Barrett. “After an arduous bike climb back to the park, the run only gives you a 300 m flat before you start on the first of three distinct hills.”

One of those hills has been titled “Clayton’s Climb” in honour of a much-loved club member who passed away six years ago. Each year at the race, a large poster sits beside Clayton Clark’s bike in the transition.

“In a fitting tribute, there is a time during the race that his will be the lone bike in transition,” says Barrett. “This is in contrast to him being the most welcoming and optimistic individual many of us have ever met.”

Most participants fall in the

30- to 50-year-old demographic, although the community has a very active contingent who are over 50 years old. Last year, there were 120 participants, up from

100 the year before. They enjoy a safe race thanks to at least 40 volunteers who are dispersed over the large course.

Participants say one of their most favourite things about Rockwood Triathlon by the Bay is the comfy hoodies they get if registered before the deadline of mid-May. You can take care of that here: ccnbikes.com