Triathlon returns in support of domestic violence survivors and YWCA
For the first time in three years, TriIt Multisport hosted its annual women’s only triathlon, in support of the YWCA Sheriff King Home, which is an emergency shelter for women and children fleeing family violence.
The event kicked off early Sunday morning at the Rocky Ridge YMCA.
Race director Richelle Love says this event is crucial for the YWCA to receive funding and donations.
“Violence is at an all time high and the YW needs the support now more than ever,” she said.
Love says that the event is smaller this year, but that’s because people are slowly getting more comfortable with participating in large scale events again.
“We have about 115 racers,” said Love.
“We normally have about double that but coming off the pandemic, most races are about half that.”
The YWCA Sheriff King Home emergency shelter provides basic needs including food and personal items with the goal of establishing a transition plan to ensure safety and security becomes a daily routine.
For Britney Dehler, this was her first triathlon event.
“This race seems like its directed to first time triathletes so people that are looking to give it a try,” she said.
“It will be super fun and a great atmosphere.”
Dehler competed in the Try-a-Tri race which consists of 350 metre swim, nine kilometre bike ride and 2.5 kilometre run.
She says the encouragement of her friend is Teagan Gahler, is what brought her to compete this year.
Gahler has competed in the event several times before.
“It’s a women supporting women event and incredibly important for our community and to support the YWCA of Calgary,” said Gahler.
“And to do it with my girlfriend Brit here, build community and be back after three years of the pandemic (is just great).”
In the sprint distance, where the majority of the 115 racers are competing, they must swim 750 metres, bike 18 kilometres and run five kilometres.
Organizers say they don’t have specific target in mind for fundraising, but hope to help the YWCA as much as possible.
“This is a new venue, so a lot of the stuff was getting bike racks, getting the vendors (and) making sure they are all set up, massage tables and such,” said assistant race director Tate Mazurkewich.
“Then things like photography and volunteers is such a huge thing when putting on races.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
Manitoba government tables bill to end ban on homegrown recreational cannabis
Manitoba is planning to lift its ban on the home growing of recreational cannabis.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.