First Edmonton base triathlon a smash hit
June 10, 2024 - Captain (Padre) Gabriel J Snyman, Base Chaplain, 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton
I arrived at 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton as overwhelmed and disorientated as anyone on their first posting in June last year.
I found my refuge from all the stress this entailed in cycling from my home in St. Albert to the base about 18 km away. I also discovered there is a swimming pool on base, and I started doing physical training with my unit, which often entailed running around our garrison track.
Although I enjoyed the exercise benefits from my biking, swimming and running, my training still felt undirected and lacking a clear goal. Then my wife, a physiotherapy officer, told me about one of her patients, an energetic young infantry officer, Captain Eric Henderson. He told her about a newly established triathlon training group on base, and their plans to host the first‑ever base triathlon competition in May.
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A racer crosses the finish line at the end of the May 11 Beat the Base Triathlon at 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton.
Photo by Cpl Jon Anthony Durrant, 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton Imaging
Good things happen when one follows up curiosity with showing up, even if one shows up hesitantly like I did for my first group training session. In my mind, triathlon was for super athletes who are a cut above the rest…and above me and my level of fitness. I wondered if I had the brawn to even complete a triathlon.
But soon the enthusiastic bunch of warriors who showed up to train together became trusted friends and advisors. Especially when it came to my swimming: I got direction that made me much faster in the water.
The dynamic of a supportive group that keeps one accountable cannot be overestimated. Never have I found in me the motivation to do two to three disciplines on a single day, but the support of this group made it easy.
Communication happened through a messenger app, where workouts got posted and training sessions arranged. We organized a few small events and gradually I, together with new and experienced triathletes ranging from corporals to colonels, began to gain the fitness and confidence to believe I had what it takes.
It was this same group of people that pulled together to organize and execute the first‑ever base triathlon event open both to Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and triathletes from the civilian world on May 11.
On race day we woke up to the smell of smoke from raging Alberta wildfires, but nothing could deter us. Our course sported the opportunity to race down the base runway and to run and bike all around base. Feedback from civilians who participated was overwhelmingly positive. No less than 10 CAF members from our base qualified for the CAF Nationals in Gatineau in July.
As we basked in our post‑race accomplishment euphoria that evening, I thought of how much this triathlon journey gifted me. I feel not only like a better athlete with a hence unknown level of fitness, but also that I have gained life skills, friendship and resilience as a soldier. I’m not the only one.
We hope to welcome many more aspiring triathletes within our ranks. Come join us!
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Competitors take to the pool in the May 11 Beat the Base Triathlon at 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton.
Photo by MCpl Paul McCahon, 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton Imaging
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A competitor makes her way along the running portion of the May 11 Beat the Base Triathlon at 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton.
Photo by MCpl Kyle Morris, 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton Imaging
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The cycling portion of the May 11 Beat the Base Triathlon took racers around 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton.
Photo by Cpl Gabriel Honsinger‑Lefebvre, 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton Imaging
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The May 11 Beat the Base Triathlon was a fundraiser for Soldier On. Following the race, Colonel Robbin Dove, Commander 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton (centre), and race organizer Lieutenant Colin Munson (left) presented a cheque for $5,000 to Ryan Vincent, Soldier On’s regional co-ordinator for Alberta and Northern Canada (right).
Photo by MCpl Paul McCahon, 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton Imaging