Mertz to compete in London

Times Reporter

 

Kevin Mertz of Strathmore will be traveling to London, England to compete in the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final Championships Sept. 11-15, representing Canada in the 35-39 age group. This is only his fourth season of competing in triathlons, and he’s already qualified for the World Finals again next year, taking place in Edmonton beginning Aug. 26.

“I just tried it out, I kind of enjoyed the training more than competing, but tried competing and did fairly well,” Mertz said. 

“Every time I compete, I seem to get a little better. Now I’m at a point where I’m top in my age group in the province.”

On June 23 in Edmonton, Mertz came second at provincials. This past weekend, he completed the Olympic triathlon distance in Chestermere (1.5 km swim, 40 km bike, and 10 km run), though typically he races a 750 m swim, a 20 km bike, and a 5 km run – sprint triathlon lengths. His goal typically is to finish in “under an hour, but it totally depends on the course,” he said.

In the mornings, Mertz alternates swims and runs, then bikes and does strength/flexibility training in the evenings.

“I train every day, when I’m training hard,” he said.

Though he didn’t compete in the event this year, as he was in Edmonton for Provincials, Mertz also helps organize the Tri-Smore in town.