THUNDER BAY - The XTERRA Sleeping Giant Triathlon will return next month.
Set for Aug. 7 to 10, this four-day multi-sport event draws athletes from across the region for intense off-road competition featuring rugged trails, mountain bike routes, and open-water swims.
It also offers local athletes a shot at qualifying for the XTERRA World Championships.
“It’s part of the global XTERRA network,” says Brent Maranzan, board member of XTERRA Thunder Bay. “There are only two events still operating in Ontario because they require a lot of planning and the right type of venue. Since it’s all off-road, the location has to offer a mix of trail, terrain, and water access.”
The event features multiple race formats, welcoming both seasoned competitors and first-time triathletes.
Events include:
- Full (Olympic) Off-Road Triathlon: 1,500 m swim • 26 km mountain bike • 10 km trail run
- Sprint Triathlon: 750 m swim • 13 km bike • 5 km run
- Super Sprint (Try-a-Tri): 350 m swim • 8 km bike • 3 km run
- Off-Road Duathlon: Run 3 km • Bike 15 km • Run 5 km (no swimming)
- Trail Run – 10 km
- Trail Run – 5 km
The Try-a-Tri is particularly beginner-friendly, said Maranzan.
“That’s a very short distance and it's geared towards those who are interested in trying the sport for the first time,”
Qualifying positions for XTERRA World Championships are available across most events, and local athletes have successfully made the leap to the international stage.
"Several of our athletes in town have taken advantage of those in the past.”” Maranzan adds. “I actually won a spot last year, and I’ll be racing in Italy this fall.”
The action kicks off at Boulevard Lake, where the triathlon swim takes place. Athletes then transition to Trowbridge Forest for the mountain biking and trail running segments, with the finish line atmosphere designed to be festive and welcoming.
“It’s a full weekend, but the main triathlon events happen Sunday, Aug.10,” says Maranzan. “Like most races, we start early to beat the heat and make the most of the day.”
Organizers cap participation at around 300 athletes. Currently, about 130 are registered, including 50 to 60 from out of town, so there’s still plenty of room for new entries.
“We’re actively looking for more participants and more volunteers,” says Maranzan. “We need about 50 volunteers to help run things smoothly.”
For registration and volunteer info, visit XTERRA Thunder Bay’s official website.
