Leighton Poidevin shuffled his frozen feet across the finish line a minute and a half ahead of Jon Arne Enevoldsen to win the Canmore Winter Meltdown triathlon at the Canmore Nordic Centre, Saturday (March 22).
Poidevin finished the 25-kilometre race in 1:29:06.4. The Meltdown combines cross-country skiing, mountain biking and trail running in what participants hope is a harbinger of spring. Despite a crash on his cross-country ski leg, Heath McCroy finished third with a time of 1:32:54. Candace Bourque won the women’s event in a time of 1:56:44.2.
“The snow was hard pack, so it made for good skiing and biking and good running actually. On the bike, your feet kinda freeze. When you start the run you can’t feel your feet. That’s the only problem,” said Poidevin, who finished third in last year’s event.
A legend in the Bow Valley’s mountain bike community, Poidevin had a strong ski and pulled away on his 29er hardtail, which allowed for a run with a comfortable lead.
“Running is my weakness and I didn’t want anyone to see my running form,” he joked.
McCroy said the weather and snow conditions were perfect for the race, and he’d love to see the number of entrants double next year.
“It’s always good conditions at this time of year. It’s always good snow and fast. The ski and the bike are good, and the run is a sufferfest at the end,” McCroy said.
Twenty-seven solo racers and teams signed up for this year’s event, which attracts a mix of cross-country skiers, winter riders and runners. Elite competitors must ski 10.5 km on the Banff trail lit loop, then ride the same course on a cross or mountain bike. After the bike transition, athletes run 5.6 km on the Georgetown trails and finish back at the Nordic Centre. The event is open to solo athletes and teams of three.
For full results, visit webscorer.com.
