Local triathlon club attracted beginners and professionals for a great day of racing

For the 19th year, the C3 Canadian Cross Training Club hosted the Caledon Kids of Steel and Adult Triathlon. This year, the race offered prize money for an impressive elite field.

Cam Mitchell May 28, 2019

On May 26th, the C3 Canadian Cross Training Club hosted the 19th annual C3 Benson Steel – Royal Containers Kids and Adult Triathlon (originally a Kids of Steel). Started by Barrie Shepley – the head coach of C3 and many international triathletes – the Caledon Kids of Steel was created as a way to celebrate Simon Whitfield’s 2000 Olympic gold medal and help foster community spirit.

Simon Whitfield winning the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games Triathlon in Sydney, Australia. Photo: Jero Honda/triathlon.org

For 19 years, members of the C3 triathlon group, parents and friends in Caledon have come together to keep the race going. Over those years, many of Canada’s top triathletes got their start in the sport at this local race, including Andrew Yorke (Rio 2016 Olympian), Lionel Sanders (Ironman & 70.3 champion), Taylor Reid (70.3 Ironman champion) and John Rasmussen (ITU Triathlon Canada athlete). After a decade of catering to only children, many parents and family members asked to have the race extended to adults. Since then, age group waves were included.

Young triathletes were getting their start at the C3 Caledon Kids of Steel. Photo: Trent Dilkie

At this year’s race, the C3 club took the event to another level offering prize money for the elite competition which attracted some of the top professional/elite triathletes in Ontario. Elite athletes completed a 400m swim – 10km draft legal bike and 2km run. In the morning, athletes competed in a semi-final race to qualify for A and B finals in the afternoon. To no one’s surprise, short course specialists John Rasmussen and Domi Jamnicky were the overall elite champions.

Celebrating his 28th birthday, Rasmussen was victorious after a close battle with Taylor Forbes and Taylor Reid. Tristen Jones, a promising 18-year-old junior triathlete, earned himself a paycheque by finishing fifth in the elite race – one spot behind Jessey the Elf.

The elite men at the finish of the C3 Caledon Kids of Steel and Adult Triathlon. Pictured: Jessey the Elf, Taylor Forbes, John Rasmussen, Francis Lebreve, Taylor Reid, Tristen Jones. Photo: Trent Dilkie

On the women’s side, 17-year-old Kira Gupta-Baltazar was first out of the water and was the only woman to stay with Domi Jamnicky on the bike. Heading into the run, the duo had a 45-second lead. Jamnicky took the win, while Gupta-Baltazar held off a fast charging Karol-Ann Roy to finish second. Ontario teenager Ava Snyder was fourth, and McMaster University’s Rachel Faulds finished fifth.

Karol-Ann Roy, Domi Jaminicky and Kira Gupta-Baltazar at the finish. Photo: Trent Dilkie

While the pros completed their race event, they were also cheering on the participants of the Kids of Steel.

3-year-old Kenley Clarke and mother Lauren Wells Clarke exit the pool. Photo: Trent Dilkie

C3’s next big vent will be the C3 Quarry Open Water Swim race. On June 26th. Distances: 1k, 2k, 4k, 10k with and without wetsuits. www.c3online.ca