The Kincardine Women’s Triathlon, which has been one of the town’s cornerstone events each summer, will not be held in Kincardine in 2023.
“We have been working hard to secure a location and date for this year’s race,” said Sarah Foster, Race Director. “Unfortunately, the Municipality of Kincardine is unwilling to close the roads we require in order to run a safe race here.”
This doesn’t mean the race is cancelled. Instead, the KWT executive is continuing discussions with neighbouring municipalities about hosting the race elsewhere to keep it going.
The KWT executive met in November and decided to move the race to August in hopes of the lake being warm enough for a swim. Once the date was confirmed with supporting organizations, the KWT brought the new date forward to the municipality who said they would not be closing Huron Terrace in 2023. Huron Terrace is one of the roads used for the 12km bike route, and historically, the road has been closed for the three-hour duration of the race.
Other routes in town were considered, including a route which would have seen the race move to a duathlon only, but those proposals were also turned down.
Since 2000, the Kincardine Women’s Triathlon has had more than 7,000 participants and donated more than $100,000 to local organizations in Kincardine. In December of 2022, the Kincardine Women’s Triathlon donated $5,000 each to the Women’s House of Bruce and Grey and Community Living Kincardine and District from last year’s race proceeds.
The race has historically also created numerous economic spinoffs in Kincardine, with participants often staying in local hotels and eating at local restaurants before and after the race.
“We have also been a very inclusive race, welcoming participants of all abilities,” explained Foster. “As a women’s only race, it’s always been heartwarming to see kids cheering on their moms.”
In the last 23 years, the race has only not been run for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The KWT continues active discussions with other municipalities, but if a new location is not secured soon, there will not be enough time to plan the race. A final decision on whether the 2023 race will proceed elsewhere will be made by Feb. 28.
“We know our racers are planning their 2023 race season, and we hope the KWT will be able to find a new home so that our race will be one of them.”
