The ƵappTriathlon is moving back one week – but organizers said it should only continue the momentum the event has built the past several years.
The 18th annual event will now run on July 12, 2015 to avoid going head-to-head with the Subaru Vancouver Triathlon scheduled for July 5.
Assistant race director Volker Schneider said he was surprised to see the Vancouver event announce it would run on the same date as the ƵappTriathlon and the change was quickly made.
“A lot of locals race the Vancouver Triathlon and we don’t want to have two races within an hour’s drive on the same day,” he said. “We found out about the move a little late in the game but we had to move the date otherwise we wouldn’t get the numbers and we’ve been doing such a good job growing over the last two years by adding the sprint distance races.”
Schneider said he heard from several elite athletes that were disappointed that the two races were scheduled on the same day and it was the logical decision to move back one week.
“The elite athletes want to come here because it’s a little getaway and it’s a grassroots and volunteer powered event,” he said. “It actually turned out better for us because now we’re the only race on that weekend and it allows people not to have to pick and choose.”
He said the popularity of the sprint distance races have helped the event grow, as registration in the shorter race went from around 50 in the first year to over 100 last year.
“We try to do a better job every year,” he said. “I think we’re on a good path of growing the race and we always try to improve based on surveys we receive from racers.”
Schneider, who competed at a high level at both the ƵappTriathlon and Ironman amongst many other races, said it’s nice to be on the other side of the finish line in his new role.
“I love this event and have raced it so many times,” he said. “I got a little tired of racing so I want to give back what people gave to me for all the years I raced here.”
He said the event is always looking for volunteers and to volunteer or for more information on the event, visit www.squamishtriahtlon.org.