Bringing back some s’more this summer!

Times Contributor

 

After a successful trial run in 2011, the Strathmore Tri-Smore is coming back again this summer, June 23, and is expected to become an annual event. 

The Tri-Smore is an athletic event that is by the community, for the community. The race celebrates healthy living and promotes active lifestyles within the Strathmore community. Accommodating all age groups and fitness levels, there are four categories that participants can choose from: Full Smore (17 years plus), Half Smore (13-17 years), Quarter Smore (Under 13 years), and the Two Bit Smore(Under 8 years). Team options are available for participants as well.

All categories begin with a swim, and are followed by a bike and a run. All categories vary in distance.  

 The cost is $60 for adults, $20 for youth and $15 for the ‘two bit smores’. Adult teams are $150 and youth teams are $60. The price includes a swim cap, a t-shirt, and post race nourishment. If the Tri-Smore makes a profit, proceeds will be given back to the community to support healthy living. The Tri-Smore broke even the preceding year, due to the initial cost of signage and equipment.

 “In the younger kid’s categories, the costs are barely covered due to the price of shirts, timings and medals, so we depend on sponsorships to help out. We want to keep the race very reasonably priced so that families and individuals can afford to do it,” said race director, Niki Johnson. 

Johnson saw a great need for the Tri-Smore when she began taking her children to races in surrounding communities. The question that fuelled the fire was, “How come we aren’t doing this in Strathmore?” 

The Tri-Smore had a successful turnout of 300 participants in its first year, and Johnson is anticipating 350-400 in the second. She can see it growing considerably larger in the future, due to Strathmore’s close location to Calgary and, the fact that the race accommodates all age groups and fitness levels. 

 “I’m excited, I’d love to see it grow bigger than that, but I’m also happy to take growth in stride. I don’t want it to get too big too fast, so we can’t handle it,” said Johnson. 

For anyone who is new to the Tri-Smore and is debating whether or not to try it, Johnson plainly stated, “just do it.”

 “When I did my first triathlon, five or six years ago, I just decided that it was my year. I set the goal, I worked towards it and I trained. The Olympic distance but was what I decided to do and I did it. I felt like I conquered the world at the end, just because it was a life goal that I had. It’s empowering, it’s something that challenges you but, when you are done, you think, ‘wow, I did it!’” said Johnson. 

The Tri-Smore celebrates participation in a fun and friendly environment, and can be as competitive as each individual wants it to be. 

“Everyone is doing the best they can. You’re not going to be pulled off the course if you don’t meet a certain time. We just want people to be active, set a goal, work towards it and, complete it,” encouraged Johnson.

On the day of the Tri-Smore, you can find the race director “running the race but not running the race,” laughed Johnson. 

“I’ll be there and I’ll be around, but I won’t be competing. I’m not quite to that point yet,” said Johnson. 

Participants can apply online at www.tri-smore.com with a preferred deadline of May 27. Applications may be received after the deadline, but will be not guaranteed a t-shirt.