2008 Vancouver BG Triathlon World Championships
The other day while in English Bay with Robyn I noticed that there were signs posted explaining the upcoming road closures in the Vancouver West End which will affect traffic and residents quite a bit between the dates June 5th 2008 to June 9th 2008. The reason for these closures is for the upcoming 2008 ITU BG Triathlon World Championships in Vancouver.
The International Triathlon Union (ITU) is a not-for-profit group (founded in 1989 in Avignon, France) and world governing body for the Olympic sport of Triathlon which is swimming, cycling and running. Each sport has a set distance which athletes compete against one another; 1.5km swim, 40km road cycling and finally the 10km run.
The main course in Metro Vancouver’s West End will primarily take place around Stanley Park and Beach Avenue with smaller races for different age groups utilizing various points in between.
The total available prize money for the Elite grouping is $250,000 USD and split up in 15 placements equally for men and women.
If you have never seen a Triathlon it can be pretty intense to watch, especially the beginning when all the athletes (the men and women are in separate heats) all dive into the water and start the first leg of the race. I personally have not seen a Triathlon live (and this may be an opportunity for me to do so since I will be in the West End during the weekend) but I have seen the Ironman Triathlon on TV a few times and it is amazing how people are fit enough to endure such an intense race. I am definitely not in the position to be participating in a Triathlon though if I were in great shape I am not sure if I would enjoy that sort of physical intensity either.
Fencing in English Bay – Taken with SonyEricsson W580i
Grandstand being erected at English Bay – Taken with SonyEricsson W580i
Above are some a couple of photos I took while people set up English Bay for the ITU Vancouver 2008 Triathlon Championship. Robyn and I both noticed that all along English Bay and Stanley Park they put up fencing that reminded me of Cattle chutes.
I LOVE triathlons. I’ve been out of shape for a few years, but back in 04-06 I did a bunch of them. They’re GREAT.
95 Crave has THREE teams in the Corporate Challenge which goes Saturday at 630a. This lets us break up the triathlon into a relay. I’ll be doing the bike leg, Drew Savage will be swimming, Sarah Bartok will be running.
See ya bright and early on Saturday!
Wow Buzz that’s awesome! I will be there on Saturday I’ll keep an eye out for ya! lol among the other 2600 competing people during the day!