More than 250 women took part in a unique event Sunday that was both a competition and an inspiring gathering at the same time.
The town of Hampton hosted its 9th Ladies Triathlon on Sunday. Believed to be the only one of its kind in the Maritimes, the event is now in its ninth year.
It consists of a 400-metre swim, a 20-kilometre bike ride and a 5K run. This is a race, a competitive one for some, but everyone wins just by taking part. something that makes this event special.
“We have a lot of ladies who will make this their one and only triathlon or it’s the first one they’ll Do and it’s an introduction to the sport for them,” said race director Garth Millar.
Heidi MacKinnon is a runner. She ran a marathon just last week, but took part in her first triathlon today. “I must have said a thousand great jobs and heard a thousand great jobs on the way,” she said. “It was so supportive the whole time”.
Ellen Watters, the well-known cyclist who perished in an accident in late December, won this race twice. For organizers, the race brings back happy memories of Watters.
“One of the years that Ellen won the race, her mom also raced and mom brought up the rear,” Millar explained. “Ellen won the race and then she went back out on the course, found her mom and we were all in tears when her mom finished”.
Watters’ mother Nancy was at the beginning of this year’s event as well to offer encouragement.