DATE: Sunday, June 22nd, 2008
LOCATION: Ingonish Beach, Cape Breton, NS
The Heart of the Highlands Triathlon is a unique sporting event that occurs in one of the most beautiful regions of Canada, if not the world! Based in Ingonish, Cape Breton this triathlon offers participants a memborable experience. It has a swimming leg in pristine freshwater lake adjacent to the ocean, a cycling route that follows the world famous Cabot Trail, and a running route that climbs to cliffs that look across at Cape Smokey. Competitors can also enjoy a post race barbeque at the nearby Ceilidh Hall of the Keltic Lodge.
To regsiter and more info : http://www.atlanticchip.ca/events/details.php?show=257
UPDATE : Feeling fast ??? The Race Director has confirmed a $400 cash prize for the Olympic winner and $300 for the Sprint.
Race preview in ‘responses’
RACE PREVIEW – Heart of the Highlands
Reprinted with permission from the Triathlon Nova Scotia ‘Turnaround’ – Volume#3 Issue#8
http://www.trins.ca
Andrew Dacanay
Race: Heart Of The Highlands
Where: Ingonish
When: June 22, 2008
Distance: Olympic, Sprint and team
Other: Big scenery, big prizes
This year will mark the fifth running of the Heart of the Highlands (HOTH) Triathlon in Ingonish, Cape Breton. It is the first Olympic distance event of the year and the first open water swim.
The swim portion of the race takes place at Ingonish Beach, which offers both lake and ocean access.
Given the ocean temperatures at this time of year (especially in Cape Breton!), it’s a lake swim. We asked RD Daniel Murray at Bluenose what thw water temperature was. Hard to say, was the reply the ice is still melting.
That was a month ago now and we hear it’s 16.5C; not as cold as it’s been (or indeed as cold as Guysborough) and a quick bout of localised global warming notwithstanding it’s looking like wetsuits are in.
The course is a 750m buoy to buoy, with a beach start. The Sprint distance will complete one lap, the Olympic distance two, before heading out onto the bike course. It’s also pretty shallow, we once saw a guy stand up and adjust his goggles at the first buoy! It’s a bit of a trek to TZ from the swim exit; maybe as long as that at Investors but nowhere near as stony as, say, Shubie.
The bike is a rolling course along the Trail: very scenic with a few challenging hills. We’re talking leg#5 of the Cabot Trail Relay for the Sprint and leg#5 plus most of leg #6 for the Olympic. Yes, its rolling, but hey coming after Smokey it should feel down-right flat (well Cape Breton flat).
The course also passes by a number of churches, so make sure to be on the lookout for cars exiting the church parking lots!
The Sprint distance bike is a 23km out-andback, while the 42km Olympic distance bike course follows the Sprint and continues along a bit more.
The run takes you around the back of the Keltic Lodge and is a challenging course. The views are good though. This is where the race has been decided over the years, with the first-off- thebike guy often-as-not being run down, so if you’re leading off the bike this year, don’t forget to use your mirrors (and remember objects may appear closer than they are)!
If you’re looking for an excuse to get to Cape Breton, or are looking for one of the more challenging courses on the TNS calendar, it is definitely worth the drive to Ingonish for the HOTH.
Velo Cape Breton have entered nine teams we hear; they must have completely denuded Sydney’s swim-teams. Nine teams!
We heard last week that HOTH has a very rich prize list, richer than Investors! We hear there’s still plenty of money on line for third place for the Sprint, making it hard to find an excuse not to come.
Don‘t forget that Triathlon Magazine Canada rated HOTH as one of its ‘to do’ races on the planet, and it’s right here on our doorstep.
COURSE RECORDS
2007
OLYMPIC
Matthias Jaepel (2:12:46*), Chris Milburn, Kurt Stevenson
Julie Curwin (2:24:20*), Olivia Bornik, Brigitte Sabourin
SPRINT
Jacob Meisner (1:19:32), Daniel Murray, Greg Young.
Angela Ripley (1:30:52*), Candice Stapleton, Wendy Mombourquette
2006
OLYMPIC
Matthias Jaepel (2:16:23), Chris Milburn, Tyrone Clarke
Julie Curwin (2:22:30*), Dayna Mac Donald, Beverly Richardson
SPRINT
Jacob Meisner (1:23:53), Steven Black, Dan Thompson.
Sarah Lea (1:31:05), Brigitte Buehlmann, Candice Stapleton
2005 Provincial Championships
OLYMPIC
Kurt Stevenson ( (2:19:31), Mathias Jaepel, Chris Milburn
Julie Curwin (2:28:11), Emma Plaskacz , Francine Commeau
SPRINT
Daniel Thompson (1:28:39), Don Billard, Steven Black
Meagan Timney (1:33:09), Taya McGillivray, Jennifer Teal
2004
OLYMPIC (SHORT SWIM)
Kurt Stevenson (2:07:14), Tony Walker, Chris Milburn
SPRINT
Valery Marion (1:19:55*), Kevin Mckinnon, Don Billard, Christine MacDonald
* Course record