Cornwall Triathlon attracts hundreds of athletes

Hundreds of athletes from across Ontario, Quebec and the United States will be in Cornwall this weekend for the Cornwall Triathlon.

One of eastern Ontario’s premier triathlons, the Cornwall Triathlon is held along the beautiful St. Lawrence River with the assistance of more than 200 volunteers and officials. Over 500 adults and 150 children will take part in the weekend events, with the majority – nearly 80 per cent – coming from outside of the Cornwall area to compete.

“For some, the event is an introduction to the sports of triathlon and duathlon. For others, the races provide the fiercest competition in eastern Ontario, attracting pro and elite athletes from across the continent,” said Race Director Rob Allen.

Triathlon weekend has become a staple of the summer calendar in Cornwall, and interest in the event continues to grow. The Young Champions Day on Saturday will feature 150 youth – a sold-out field – taking part in duathlon and triathlon events at the Cornwall Aquatic Centre. On Sunday, the stage moves to l’Heritage High School and Montreal Road where over 500 adults will take part in a 5K run, duathlon and triathlon events. The competition will take place along closed roads in the cotton mill district and Montreal Road as well as the St. Lawrence River.

According to Mr. Allen, the athlete experience is a big factor in the event’s ongoing success.

“The sole focus of the (organizing) committee is ensuring our volunteers and athletes have a great day,” he added. “Most triathlon events in Ontario are businesses. We don’t operate to turn a profit – customer and volunteer satisfaction is our priority over profit.”

Beyond that, there’s plenty of incentive for the athletes. A total of $3,700 in cash prizes will be paid out to the top finishers in the Olympic and Sprint Duathlon and Triathlon distances.

Residents are welcome to come and cheer on the participants, with Sunday’s adult races beginning between 8:30 am and 10 am from l’Heritage High School on Montreal Road.

“The spectators add a whole other level of excitement to the event and they provide energy to the competitors along the way,” added Mr. Allen.

Featured events on Sunday include:

Try-A-Tri
This introductory event features a 200m swim, a 10km bike ride and a 2.5km run.

Sprint Duathlon
This event features a 2.5km run followed by a 20km bike and a 5 km run.

Sprint Triathlon
This event features a 750m swim, a 20km bike and a 5 km run.

Olympic Triathlon
This event features a 1500m swim, a 40km bike and a 10 km run.

Additional Information

For additional information on the Cornwall Triathlon, including volunteer opportunities, race updates and course details, please visit the Cornwall Triathlon website or Facebook page.

Accommodations

Planning to attend the Cornwall Triathlon? Make a weekend of it and stay in Cornwall! There are a variety of amazing accommodations, from cozy bed and breakfasts to full-service hotels. For more information, please click here.

Additional Events

Looking for other fun things to do in Cornwall? Make sure to check out our Events page for info on upcoming events in the area!

Additional Information

Planning a visit to Cornwall? Cornwall Tourism can help. Email us at info@cornwalltourism.com to request a copy of our Visitor Guide or contact us at (613) 936-0842. You can also stop by our seasonal Visitor Information Centre inside the Cornwall Community Museum in Lamoureux Park. The Museum is located at 160 Water Street West, just steps away from the children’s splashpad and play structure. Free parking is available immediately north of the Museum along Water Street.

The seasonal Visitor Information Centre is open seven days a week (8:30 am to 4:30 pm) through the summer months.

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Article by Kevin Lajoie
www.CornwallTourism.com