Record Attendance Expected; Elites Return to Defend Championship Titles

Victoria, BC – The first event of the 2012 Subaru Western Triathlon Series is less than a week away! The Subaru Shawnigan Lake Triathlon happening on May 27th is becoming famous for a great early season tune-up on a beautiful course highlighted by a stunning west coast run on the Trans Canada Trail – and now a trip across the newly rebuilt Kinsol Trestle!

Athleteswill start to arrive in Victoria this week from as far away as Great Britain and Hong Kong to compete in the Sprint, Olympic or Half Iron distance at the event, which is expected to see record attendance for this year. Last year’s Shawnigan Half-Iron champion Adam O’Meara will be back to defend his title, as well as last year’s Olympic distance champion Nathan Killiam. Series podium finishers Janet Nielsen and Rachel Kiers will also be back to race for the top spot, as well as national champion and Series podium finisher Lucy Smith.

This year, The Shawnigan Lake Business Association will be hosting the first annual Shawnigan Village Triathlon Festival the day before the race from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. There will be lots of fun family activities, a marketplace with local artisans, entertainment and food. The Danone Kids Fun Run will conclude the Shawnigan Village Triathlon Festival and will take place at 2:30pm at Elsie Miles Field, one block from the Village.

The Subaru Shawnigan Lake Triathlon Sport & Lifestyle Expo will also behappening on race weekend, and will take place at West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park on Saturday from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm and on Sunday, Race Day, from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm.

For information about the Subaru Shawnigan Lake Triathlon, please visit www.triseries.ca.