Tell us a bit about yourself and how you became involved with triathlon and the sporting community? Do you have a race background? Any key accomplishments or highlights you’d like to mention?
I became active in mid 2005 after a reading a health related article that basically listed a pile of issues that men can encounter once your waist size hits 40 inches. I was there so decided to start running, and later that year completed a 10K at the Fall Classic. Since then I’ve lead a pretty healthy lifestyle.
Since 2005, I’ve completed the following types of events: Duathlon, Triathlon, Mt.Bike Events, Adventure Racing, Skiing and Running Events. Some of the most notable events for me were: the Joe Maguire Road Race 10K which was a bit of a painful but rewarding run in 2009, the Montreal Triathlon in 2008, the Elgin 80 Mt.Bike Race in 2009, which was actually 95km of absolute madness, and the 2010 Race the Phantom Adventure Race where I got approximately 25min sleep in 56 hours.....took a while to recover from that one.
How did you end up in a Race Director role and how have you seen your race grow over the past few years? Care to share any exciting details about the 2011 event?
I started the Lincoln 5K Road Race in 2007, which is an IWK fundraiser that I host from my home in Lincoln. Since then I’ve volunteered at other events like Mike Davis’s Triathlon that he hosts in Mactaquac. Onne stepped down as RD after the 2009 Duncan Hadley (DH) Tri so I enquired about the position and it worked out. Last year was my first year as RD for the DH event. I quickly found out that the RD role is easy, compared to the many roles that are required to plan the event. The DH committed is Awesome!!
Typically, the DH event hosts approximately 210 to 220 participants. This year, we have some new events that we hope will boost participation and grow the sport of triathlon. We have the Try-a-Du and Try-a-Tri for people who want to try the sport. Check out more details on our website. We are hoping that those who have just completed a 5K run will want to try duathlon by adding a 10K bike, between two, 2.5K runs. Also, those who are intimidated by swimming can Try-a-Tri as they would only have to swim 375m as opposed to the somewhat daunting 750m that is required to complete a sprint tri.
The Duncan Hadley Event is really scenic and a great venue to complete a Tri or Du as we have a lake swim, closed bike course and a scenic run around Killarney Lake. We have great door prizes and awards too which can be seen on our Facebook site.
What developments do you foresee in the triathlon and sporting community in NB in the coming years? Any trends that you see emerging or key areas of focus you would like sporting orgs like Tri NB to capitalize on?
I think Tri NB should embrace youth by getting the kids of steel race directors to visit NB schools to promote triathlon. The RD’s and Tri NB executive could deliver presentations to mid and high schools to promote Triathlon. (Note: Tri NB has recently begun to do exactly this, led by our Junior Coordinator Jon Tracy)
What keeps you busy in your spare time? Racing, mountain biking, family fun, travel, camping, reading, community / charitable involvement, watching movies…anything you’d care to share with us? Hobbies, musical tastes?
Summer months and spare time equals mountain biking with my buddies. My son Brock is just getting into mountain biking so I spend a bit of quality time biking with him too. In the winter months, I recently took up skate skiing which is a work in progress. I also snowshoe and hike a lot with family and friends. I really enjoy building and maintaining mt.bike tails too.
In terms of out right relaxing, a Picaroons on the couch watching something on the Discovery, History, or OLN channel works for me.
How is the 2011 race shaping up for you? Anything in particular you are focusing on? For example, increased participation, sponsorship, volunteers, etc?
The committee is working hard on trying to increase participation by making a few changes to the race line up this year. We have switched the Olympic Duathlon for a Sprint Duathlon. We have also picked up two new events: the Try-a-Du and Try-a-Tri which are geared up to grow the sport of Duathlon and Triathlon.
Where can people find information about your race to sign up or contact info if they have questions?
You can register for the Duncan Hadley Event at www.atlanticchip.ca. We launched a new Fredericton Triathlon website at http://www.duncanhadleytriathlon.ca/ which will be continually populated with race information.
Are you involved in other aspects of sport in NB or beyond the Province? For example, do you host any other races or participate on any Boards or race committees?
I help organize the Lincoln 5K Road Race which is on April 17th this yr. I started this event in 2007 which is a fundraiser for the IWK in Halifax as my daughter had successful heart surgery there in 2005. Here is our promo video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDGiGzToRxk
I am also the vice president of the Marysville Place Employee Fitness Program. I volunteer at the Subaru East Coast ½ Iron Triathlon and a cyclo-cross race in Mactaquac. I also coach Brock and Reagan’s soccer teams.
How does your race appeal to youth and encouraging them to get involved in the sport?
We have a Junior Triathlon for ages 14 and 15 as of Dec 31, 2011, which consists of the following distances….375M Swim / 10K Bike / 2.5K Run.
The day before the event, the kids of steel event takes place at Killarney Lake too, for ages up to 13 years old.
We also have an “Athletes with a Disability” category. Last year a blind 13 year old boy competed in the Team Sprint Tri by riding on a tandem bike.
Favourite pastime to relax and forget about the stresses of the day?
Spending time with my kids. Each night after dinner is over, Trac and I spend time working with the kids getting there homework finished up. I find that relaxing and very rewarding in terms of watching their progress. After homework is finished, we head outside for some type of activity.
Favourite food, drink, country / state visited and dream job?
This is tough as I like a lot of different types of food.....my wife cooks great meals too. I’m going to keep this simple with a home made chicken pizza on pita bread with a dark and stormy Picaroons.
I really enjoyed the Grand Canyon...my degree is in geological engineering so the more rocks the better. Dream job would for sure be organizing mt.bike tours around the world.
If I won the lottery I would buy? All my friends whatever mountain bike they wanted and take them on a wicked mt.bike trip to somewhere hilly. The support staff would include pro bike mechanics, chefs, massages after each ride, etc, etc. Oh ya, don’t forget the truck load of just about every kind of beer know to man!
Biggest pet peeve?
People buzzing my tire while Mt. Biking!
The one race I would like to complete in my lifetime is___________. Why?
The TransRockies Challenge mt.bike event is my dream race that I hope will become a reality within the next couple of years. It is a seven day event......the views are breathtaking. I can’t wait to go! http://transrockies.com/trc/
The best race I have ever participated in was _____________________.
2010 Race the Phantom Adventure Race is the toughest race by far that I’ve ever competed. I was on a team with Mark Boldon, Hugh Croll and Josh Lampkey where we worked well enough as a team to place 4th overall. We trained hard for the event and even practiced sleep deprivation in order become familiar with that kind of fatigue during night time navigation. It was a great experience in terms of pushing yourself to that new level of madness.
The thing I am most proud of is______________________.
Being able to maintain a well balanced lifestyle.
The most important thing about my race I would like people to know is ____________________.
The Duncan Hadley Event is a celebration of Duncan Hadley’s life. Don’t take life for granted. Keep focused on a well balanced life and come participate in the event. Try and get a friend to participate in the shorter distance events that we have this year as it will change their life for the better.
Any words of encouragement for those who may be thinking of racing but have not made the leap yet and are watching from the sidelines?
Being active will make you feel so much better. Get involved asap!!
Who is your favourite athlete of all time and why?
Gotta be Lance...why, cancer survivor and he won the Tour 7 times!
Great stuff Shawn. Thanks for taking the time to chat with us and all the best for another amazing race this year in Freddy!
I come up from Camden Maine to do this race for the last 4 years. It is the first race on my calendar and would not miss it!!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Great to hear...looking forward to seeing you again this year.cheers!
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