‘Twas the Night Before the Richmond Road Race 2026
'Twas testing week for Team Triumph and all through the club, the members were stirring even the coach! Oops…doesn’t rhyme.
The swim, bike and run tests were laid out on their Training Peaks calendars by the master with hopes that their times soon would be faster!
The athletes were all nestled into their beds while visions of freezing temperatures danced in their heads!
They laid out their warm woolie mittens and caps that day to prepare for what the Richmond Road Race would bring their way.
Out of their beds they arose with such a clatter when 12 Team Triumphers awoke and said the cold just doesn’t matter.
Away to the car they flew like a dart, dressed in Gortex and Thinsulate to get to the start.
The moon on the ice with a sparkling glow, gave a lustre of hope to the race in the snow.
When what to our wondering eyes did appear, 12 Team Triumphers at the start line with all of their gear!
More rapid than eagles the courses they came and they whistled and shouted and called them by name.
Now Rachel, Now Julia, Now Jessie and Caitlin, On Tamsin, On Tara, On Kyle and Scott, Now Chris, Now Erik, On Maddy and Denise…
To the start line! to the finish line!
Now dash away! Dash away Dash away all…”
And they did!
Congrats to all our crew at the frigid Richmond Road Race 2026. This is the mental toughness that will really prepare you for your Ironman races this Summer. When you’re feeling the heat remember this race and let it cool you down knowing you can persevere through the greatest challenges.
10km
Scott MacDonald 5th overall and 1st in AG
Tara Jennings 4th in AG and PB
Julia Irwin 4th in AG and PB
Kyle Romans PB
Caitlin Shanahan
Jessie Hall
Rackel Gagnon
Chris Lil
Erik Shantz
5km
Maddy Smith - Guide
Denise Pittuck 2nd in AG
Tamsin Douglas
Coach Julia
Head Coach/Founder
Team Triumph Triathlon Club
Certified Exercise Physiologist
Certified triathlon, cycling 80/20 and
Ironman U Coach
I would highly recommended Eric and Team Triumph!
Ian Ross
A year ago I could only tread water and had not run since childhood. With the amazing Virtual Olympic course, support, guidance, and tips from of all the folks at Team Triumph I've ended the season with my first Olympic distance triathlon under my belt and am hooked! Really looking forward to the 2025 season and even to the hard work over the winter to prepare. Karen Houle
I wanted to let you know that the Perth triathlon was a great experience, I somehow placed third in my age group! What a supportive group of participants (including Team Triumph athletes), cheering bystanders and volunteers.
Thanks to your swim lessons, I learned the technical basics and gained confidence to get back in the pool after decades. And it was really special doing this with Ann Laidlaw, my bestie for many years. We did a couple of additional swims with Kevin and Team Triumph people, also a great way to continue learning and practicing good technical form.
I will continue with lane swimming and who knows, maybe there's another triathlon in my future!