Gender equality focus of Kamloops third annual indoor triathlon

Jan 29, 2017 | 4:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — Competition was fun but fierce at the Tournament Capital Centre Sunday where more than 80 people hit the water, bike, and track for B.C’s only mixed-team indoor triathlon.

“This year is a record year for participants,” said Kara Wright, Race Director of the Runner Sole 4X Mix Relay Indoor Triathlon. “The first year we had 11 teams, this year we have 21 teams.”

While shorter in length, the TCC triathlon includes the typical three-sport sequence.

A three hundred meter swim, a six-kilometre spin on the bike, and finally a 1.6 kilometre sprint around the indoor track.

Each leg of the race is undergone by a different team member, with teams repeating the circuit four times.

What makes the Kamloops triathlon unique is each team must include at least two women, in an effort to raise awareness of the struggles women face on the professional circuit.  

“In the professional field of triathlon, women are paid less, less female professionals are sent to world championship races, and we want to change that,” said Wright.

The weekend event attracted athletes of all abilities, from Ironman competitors to first timers.

Bruce Butcher has competed in close to 20 triathlons, including numerous world championships throughout the years.

Butcher says his daughter and granddaughters inspired him to sign up for the event.  

“All my girls are here, so I’m here too,” beamed Butcher.

With the TCC triathlon one of three the Kamloops Triathlon Club holds every year throughout the city, organizers say their hope is increasing participation and support locally will eventually lead to greater gender equality for the pros.

“As a female athlete myself and a coach of youth triathlon, I want my youth athletes to have somebody they want to model themselves after and be really proud of, both male and female,” said Wright.