While it’s somewhat of a hobby, Craig Schmitt has already forged a winning tradition in the Woody’s RV World Triathlon.
Schmitt successfully defended his overall Woody’s title Sunday, finishing the three-event race in one hour, five minutes and 0.21 seconds.
“I started out bike racing, but I had a bad crash and had to start doing other things,” said the Red Deer athlete, who competed in his first triathlon just two years ago. “I kind of got hooked on the run and swim events, but biking would definitely still be my strength.”
Indeed, Schmitt finished first in the bike race with a time of 32 minutes, 34 seconds. He was also first in the run in 18:41 and placed 21st in the swim with a clocking of 13:48.
Sharon Styles finished second overall and was the top woman with a time of 1:08.37.6. She was fourth in both of the swim (11.31) and run (20.47) events and seventh in the bike race (36.32).
Placing third was Brian Dand in 1:09.37.6. Dand finished second in the swim (10.37), eighth in the bike (36.47) and 11th in the run (22.16).
As a competitive cyclist, Schmitt raced on the provincial circuit.
“But this (triathlon) seems to be more my thing,” he said. “I did a world championship race in Las Vegas last year and this year I’m going to do my first ironman in Mont Tremblant (near Montreal).
“I’ll be doing seven or eight races this year. I mean, I try to do it just for fun but I’m also a little competitive. It’s nice to win something.”
Schmitt is proud to be involved in the triathlon circle that exists in Red Deer.
“This event sells out every year. We had 300 athletes here today and 350 kids (in the Kids of Steel competition) Saturday. That’s pretty impressive for a city of this size,” he said. “Triathlon is a growing sport and it’s good to be a part of it.”
Kevin Hesterman was third in the men’s division — and fourth overall — with a total time of 1:09:52.1, while placing second and third in the women’s category were Marissa Hutchinson (1:18:23.4, 16th overall) and Stephanie Smith (1:19:39.4, 19th overall).
Burning Rubber won the team title with a time of 1:04.40.4.
The top-three results in the Kids of Steel age categories:
Female under seven: 1. Makenna Vanmaarion, 12:50.4; 2. Nadia McKeage, 13:00.3; 3. Emma Deacon, 13:06.8.
Male under seven: 1. Liam Cadieux, 11:32.9; 2. Mason Hastings, 12:22.4; 3. Brady Moore, 12:58.3.
Female 8-9: 1. Betty-Lou Brown, 23:39.9; 2. Rosalyn Fisher, 26:11.6; 3. Ella Collins, 26:13.0.
Male 8-9: 1. Lincoln Hoel, 20:28.6; 2. Adam Hural, 21:52.8; Kiyan Sunderjl, 23:33.2.
Female 10-11: 1. Jamie Lalor, 29:34.3; 2. Tyler Vercaigne, 30:41.4; 3. Robyn Wlad, 31:13.4.
Male 10-11: 1. Brock Hoel, 20:11.5; 2. Dawson Guhle, 24:16.2; 3. Sten Valge-Saar, 25:27.2.
Female 12-13: 1. India McIsaac, 39:19.0; 2. Carley Wlad, 40:33.9; 3. Janae Hoel, 40:43.8.
Male 12-13: 1. Carson Schiller, 40:14.2; 2. Adam Guthrie, 40:24.3; 3. Marcus Brown, 41:25.9.
Female 14-15: 1. MacKenzie Gladue, 45:54.0; 2. Dana Iatrou, 50:35.3; 3. Claire Espey, 56:10.2.
Male 14-15: 1. Benjamin Isaac, 46:19.2; 2. Nolan Dyck, 48:36.7; 3. Noah Mulzet, 51:26.7.