Cumberland to host cross tri nationals next weekend

Cumberland is less than two weeks away from hosting Canada’s first ever standalone cross triathlon national championship.

“This is just the fourth year we’ve hosted our event, so it’s a huge honour to have earned that kind of trust of Triathlon Canada in such a short time,” says Ryan Parton, race director of Frontrunners Fit Chiropractic Dodge City X, which takes place September 10. “The championship has drawn our largest field of competitors to date, but registration is still open until September 6 for anyone who would like to compete.”

A cross, or off-road, triathlon features a swim, a mountain bike and a trail run and is the world’s fastest-growing multisport discipline. Cross triathlon’s national championship has traditionally been held alongside the much larger long-course or Olympic distance triathlon championships, but Triathlon Canada decided the time was right for cross triathlon to have its own dedicated championship event and tapped “Dodge City” to play host.

“It’s testament to the amazing volunteer community we have here in the Comox Valley,” says Parton. “We put on a great event – athletes love it, volunteers love it, and it really showcases what I believe is one of the best trail networks in one of the most attractive locations on the planet.”

Volunteer opportunities are still available, he adds, and anyone who would like to get involved can sign up by clicking “volunteer” at www.dodgecityx.ca.

Frontrunners Fit Chiropractic Dodge City X features a 1.5-km swim in glacier-fed Comox Lake, a 23-km mountain bike through Cumberland’s “legendary” singletrack network and a 9.5-km trail run through that same world-class trail system. A roughly half distance “sprint” option is also available, as is a relay category for teams of two or three. The top three finishers in each age/gender category of the Standard event will earn national championship medals and will also qualify for the 2023 Multisport World Championships in Ibiza, Spain.

The first swim wave is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. at Cumberland Lake Park, and competitors are expected to begin finishing at Village Park around 10:30.

Frontrunners Fit Chiropractic Dodge City X is organized by local nonprofit Steam Donkey Racing and supported by sponsors such as Dodge City Cycles, Comox Physiotherapy Clinic, BodyNetix, Thomas Dargie and others.

To register, volunteer or learn more, visit www.dodgecityx.ca.