Welland Half Iron & Triple Race Challenge
Previewing the Welland Half Iron Triathlon & Triple Race Challenge
By Roger Hospedales
Without at doubt, Welland will be the place to be this coming weekend.
On top of Saturday’s triathlon (very cool time trial start) and duathlon races, Sunday features the inaugural Half Iron Distance Triathlon, Duathlon, and Swim-Bike events, adding to the strong triathlon tradition of the Welland area.
The flat course will ensure fast and exciting racing, especially from our professionals and top age group racers. Wolfgang Guembel, fresh off a Strongman Japan win, is the favourite for the overall victory, but expect Nigel Gray, RJ Ross, Richard Pady, Joe Rizzi, and Eric Roy to be right up there with him. All can easily cross the line first too. Also in the mix will be age groupers such as Patryk Biegalski, Peter Buehlow, Larry Bradley, Chris Pickering, and Steve Whitmore. Once these athletes make it out of the water, watch out!
Leading the way for the women will be Nicole Guembel. Residing in St. Catharines, she could not pass on this race, since it will essentially be like home race for her. Keep an eye out for age groupers such as Shannon Kemp who was 2nd at the Bracebridge Half Iron in 2008.
“I hope when I wake up on race morning and say to my body ‘let's race!', that it's agreeable and says ok,” said Nicole. “The course is flat and fast, so should be fun to race on. I hope to settle into a rhythm, push hard and keep my nutrition in check.”
In addition to the Infinit, water, and fruit, Hammer Gel has recently stepped forward to provide an assortment of energy gels for the bike and run. Look for them at the bottle drop/exchange and at the run aid stations.
And while you are at those aid stations and out on the race course, make sure to thank the volunteers. Thanks to hard work of Ron Lemon and David Boone, there will be over 100 volunteers on Sunday – and if you have raced in Welland in the past, you’ll know that this is one of the best volunteer crews you will encounter anywhere.
The Welland Half Iron Triathlon will also kick off the new Triple Race Challenge where all athletes are eligible to win cash and prizes by racing Half Iron Triathlon in Welland along with the two Olympic Distance races in Cobourg and Wasaga Beach.
Healthy Results coach Richard Pady will be one of the top competitors in the Triple Race Challenge.
"My focus is much different than in the 90's when I race professionally. I'm now a husband, a father of two, a coach, and then athlete (I'm sure many of you can relate). I still enjoy the challenge of competing with some of the best athletes Ontario has to offer,” said Pady. “I don't get in the hours of training I once did, but I'm excited about doing the Triple Race Challenge and seeing if I can hang in with the big guns. I have so much respect for the other athletes I know will be competing, I will hope to draw on 21 years of racing and coaching to make up for the lack of hours on the road. The Triple Race Challenge should be a great twist to a summer of racing."
We will have a clearer idea of the Triple Race Challenge competitors after they complete the first qualifying race in Welland, but those intending to compete are listed below.
Andrew Imrie (M30-34)
R.J. Ross (M30-34)
Patryk Biegalski (M35-39)
Robert Welsford (M35-39)
Brent Baker (M35-39)
Chris Pickering (M35-39)
Richard Pady (M35-39)
Larry Bradley (M35-39)
John Klukach (M40-44)
Darren Walton (M40-44)
David Bedrosian (M45-49)
Scott Simpson (M45-49)
Peter Buehlow (M50-54)
Carm Morra (M55-59)
Saskia Holditch (F40-44)
Anne Nicolussi (F45-49)
Make sure to visit our website or the Facebook Fan page for all the latest updates or to register. We look forward to seeing you in Welland for what is sure to be an outstanding weekend of racing.
