There are no barriers for novice triathletes who want to try a tri in Canberra. Photo: ACT Triathlon.
Last year’s ACT Triathlon novice event evokes proud memories for Libby Werner Gibbings.
As a volunteer coach for FIT (Females In Training), she helped train members in the organisation’s “tri training group” in preparation for the event.
“I had one woman in the program last year who burst into tears crossing the finish line. She hadn’t run before and felt her body shape didn’t fit into the ‘typical’ mould people associate with a triathlete. She said ‘I never thought my body could do this’,” Libby says.
“Another had only learned to swim just before joining our program and had overcome significant health barriers to participate. Afterwards, she said to me ‘I feel like I might be addicted to triathlons now’.”
Tri 4 Fun comprises three events aimed at helping novice triathletes break into the world of triathlon in a friendly and supportive atmosphere.
Consisting of a 400 m swim, 9.2 km ride and 2.5 km run, the Super Sprint is a traditional entry point to the sport of triathlon, offering a perfect introduction for true beginners.
The Teaser Triathlon distance is designed for new triathletes and weekend warriors eager to give triathlon a try. With a 250 m swim, 6.4 km ride and 2 km run, this event is suitable for ages 12 and up and offers separate waves for adults and juniors.
Finally, the Junior Triathlon presents a fun and achievable challenge for kids aged 10 to 14 years of all fitness levels, featuring a 100 m swim, 4.6 km ride and 1 km run.
“It’s held out at Stromlo where you have a world-class pool, closed road criterium cycling tracks and cross country running tracks all contained within the same area,” Libby says. “It’s a great day for the participants and their supporters and an exceptionally well-run event.”
FIT’s 2024 tri training group, comprising the usual spread of fitness levels, is already booked solid with women preparing for the Tri 4 Fun on Sunday 1 December.
Libby, who is again volunteering to help coach the group, says events such as Tri 4 Fun help novices shed the misconception that the sport is strictly an aspirational fitness goal.
“People often think it’s a bucket list thing or an aspirational fitness goal akin to a half marathon. But we typically retain about half the members who join us as novice triathletes,” she says.
“Participants get to swim in a pool as opposed to open water, which can feel like a barrier to triathlons for some, and the distances are all very accessible.
Held at the start of the triathlon season, Tri 4 Fun is run by ACT Triathlon, the organisation dedicated to promoting the triathlon discipline, fostering the growth of the sport and nurturing the next generation of elite athletes in the nation’s capital.
Libby says Canberra is the ideal setting to dip your toes into the sport.
“There are facilities and events right in our backyard that attract the spectrum of participants from total novices to elite interstate athletes,” she says. “We have the lake, an awesome biking network and beautiful places to run.”
Tri 4 Fun takes place on Sunday 1 December at Stromlo Forest Park – register now via ACT Triathlon.
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