**TIMMINS TRIATHLON TEAM MEDIA RELEASE**

More than 30 Timmins athletes ages 16-60 will converge on Mont-Tremblant from June 22 to June 24 to compete in three triathlon races during the June IRONMAN Triathlon Festival: the Sprint Triathlon, the Subaru IRONMAN 5i50 and the Subaru Ironman 70.3 Mont Tremblant presented by Sportium.

Race participant Lee-Ann Wearing says this is the largest group of Timmins athletes to ever participate in the annual event.

“We`ve always had a large group of athletes participate in the Mont Tremblant festival,” said Wearing, a double-Ironman finisher who has raced at Mont Tremblant for the past five years. “But this year is turning into something special with so many experienced and newer athletes deciding to participate.”

To mark the large number of Timmins athletes, Wearing spearheaded the design and ordering of special Timmins triathlete kits that feature the Timmins headframe, a golden heart, and the phrase, “Athletes with Hearts of Gold.”

All the athletes have been training hard for their races, said Wearing. “I am sure many people in Timmins have encountered triathletes on their bikes, running, or swimming in Gillies Lake. We really appreciate the friendly waves and drivers giving the cyclists lots of room on the road!”
All level of athletes are racing, from those doing their first triathlon to other experienced athletes who are trying for personal bests. Two teams are also participating, with athletes splitting up the swim, bike and run event. The youngest triathlete is Sam Harterre at 16 while the oldest, and one of the fastest, is 60-year-old Claude Castilloux.

The shortest race is the sprint triathlon at 750 m swim, 20 km bike and a 5 km run on Saturday, June 23. Also that day is the Olympic distance at 1500 m swim, 40 km bike and a 10 km run. On Sunday, the 70.3 athletes battle through a 1900 m swim, 90 km bike and 21 km run.

“Many of our athletes are doing the 70.3 Ironman for the first time, which is really exciting,” said Wearing.

While there is no formal, organized triathlon club in Timmins, most of the athletes are part of the Timmins Triathlon: Cremin’s Crew facebook page. In this group, athletes share when they are training so others can join in the fun. The group page is also a good place to go for buying or selling triathlon gear and for getting tips.