A regular triathlete is not crossing the finish line to win, she’s doing it because she can.
Norma Dawson never thinks twice about registering for the Turner Valley Triathlon. In fact, the 66-year-old participated in all but one the past four years and is signing up again this year.
“I never thought I would do one until my friends talked me into it,” she said. “I like the challenge.”
Dawson began competing in triathlons as part of a team, but after taking swimming lessons a few years ago she was ready to take on the challenge on her own.
“Once I learned to swim I thought I can do the whole thing by myself,” she said. “Now I’m very comfortable in the pool. I’m not fast but I can do it.”
After swimming 500 metres in the Dr. Lander Memorial Pool in the July 1 event Dawson hops on her bike for the 20-km ride west of Turner Valley on Highway 546.
“Biking is fun,” she said. “There are some hills that are grueling sometimes.”
Upon her return Dawson runs the Friendship Trail connecting Turner Valley to Black Diamond for the five-kilometre run.
“It’s just a five-K run and I don’t always run the whole thing,” she said. “If I’m tired I walk.”
At the finish line Dawson ends the triathlon exhausted, but jubilated.
“It’s not like I come out there smiling, but it’s a good feeling,” she said. “I’m tired and achy and need to stretch, but I feel like I did it again and maybe I can do it again next year.”
Dawson began training for this year’s Turner Valley Triathlon last month swimming, biking and running about twice a week.
“I know some people who take a triathlon course, but I’m 66 years old and I just do it to say I’ve done it,” she said. “I don’t try hard.”
Dawson said she is the type of person who likes to keep active and the triathlon is a great challenge. She also enjoys the fun of being around other people.
“You see little kids and some of them do the whole thing,” she said. “It’s a good community endeavor.”
Turner Valley Triathlon race director Dawn Johnson is expecting more than 350 participants ages three to 70s to register from across western Canada this spring.
“It’s such a wonderful event,” she said. “It brings people out to the area that maybe haven’t spent so much time here.”
The event takes participants to the community’s outdoor pool, on a scenic bike ride west of town and for a run along the friendship trail, Johnson said.
“It’s an incredible venue with the outdoor pool and the bike ride and the run on the friendship trail,” she said. “The families hang out on the big grassy area and cheer the runners on when they come to the finish line. It’s just a lot of fun.”
Johnson said people love the Turner Valley Triathlon and many return each year to participate.
“There are very loyal people who say they are going to do it every year no matter what and then there are people where it’s their first time,” she said. “People love the Turner Valley Triathlon.”
Many athletes have already begun their training. Johnson established an online training camp on the Turner Valley Triathlon’s website that starts eight weeks leading up to the event.
“I’ve done lots of triathlons everywhere from sprint to Ironman,” she said. “It’s a very simple camp, anybody can do it. It’s designed for the new athlete or the seasoned athlete.”
The event wouldn’t be possible without the approximately 100 volunteers including lap counters and course marshals, said Johnson.
The volunteers and participants are treated to food and this year will be given a special fifth anniversary T-shirt.
The t-shirt and this year’s event are dedicated to former volunteer coordinator Tina Powell who lost her battle with cancer recently.
Early registration ends on June 1 and registration closes on June 24. Those interested in receiving a T-shirt must register before June 17.
The adult race begins at 8 a.m. and the children’s at 10:15 a.m. with the distances varying depending on age.
Money raised from the event goes toward the Town of Black Diamond and KidSport.
To register, volunteer or learn more about the Turner Valley Triathlon go to www.turnervalleytriathlon.ca
