Racers in the 2021 Ironman 70.3 Muskoka didn’t have just a tough course to contend with. Mother Nature added some challenging weather conditions—from rain and the threat of thunderstorms to hot and humid—to the mix. But the athletes took it in stride and swam, pedalled, and ran their way to the finish line, cheered on by volunteers and spectators.
Huntsville’s Jon Morton was the first local racer to complete the 113km course. With a finish time of 4:37:44, he placed second in his age category (M35-39) and 27th overall.
Ernest St-Pierre of Blainville, QC placed first overall among the men, while Miranda Tomenson of Toronto placed first among the women. There were 845 athletes who started the race, about half of the number that usually register. There were
Other local results included:
Mark Sinnige (Huntsville) – 4:51:08 (4th in M50-54, 55 overall)
Roger Penney (Huntsville) – 5:31:11 (25th in M50-54, 249 overall)
Luke Felhaber (Huntsville) – 5:36:32 (44th in M45-49, 282 overall)
David Bialkowski (Parry Sound) – 5:40:33 (15th in M55-59, 308 overall)
Sharon Johnson (Huntsville) – 5:50:49 (9th in F40-44, 367 overall)
Reed Jorgensen (Huntsville) – 5:54:36 (52nd in M30-34, 397 overall)
Brad MacDonald (Huntsville) – 6:06:42 (65th in M45-49, 473 overall)
Marianne Bialkowski (Parry Sound) – 6:07:52 (3rd in F60-64, 482 overall)
Monica Rand (Rosseau) – 6:30:24 (11th in F25-29, 585 overall)
Jim Leung (Emsdale) – 6:45:50 (41st in M55-59, 656 overall)
Connor Henshaw (Port Carling) – 6:48:15 (55th in M25-29, 664 overall)
Graham Pollington (Huntsville) – 6:52:37 (71st in M50-54, 682 overall)
Bob Morton (Huntsville) – 6:54:15 (8th in M65-69, 691 overall)
Kelly Tomlinson (Bracebridge) – 7:01:51 (32nd in F40-44, 707 overall)
See full results here.
Ironman 70.3 Muskoka 2021 champions Ernest St-Pierre (left) of Blainville QC and Miranda Tomenson of Toronto (Dawn Huddlestone)
The Ironman 70.3 Muskoka course consists of a 1.9km swim in Fairy Lake, a 90km bike from the Canada Summit Centre through Baysville to near Dorset and back, and a 21.1km run along the streets in southern Huntsville.
There were 845 athletes who started this year’s race, significantly down from past years due to the pandemic. The race was cancelled in 2020.
A legion of volunteers helped with everything from pre-race set up and athlete registration to event-day support on course, at aid stations, transition zones, and the finish line, and behind the scenes bagging food for athletes and other volunteers.
Young volunteers bagging lunches for athletes: Huntsville Public School students Isla Bell, 12 (back left) and Navy Bulloch, 12 (back right), and Huntsville High School students Noah Bell, 15 (front left) and Calum Simpson, 13 (front right). (Tamara de la Vega)
Finish line support for the athletes included a medical team (left) and volunteers who greeted the racers, provided cold drinks, and removed their timing chips. (Photos: Dawn Huddlestone and courtesy of Liridona Evans)
Spectators and athletes came and went from the finish line to cheer on the athletes. (Tamara de la Vega)
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A big thanks to Muskoka IM70.3 organizers, staff and volunteers; City of Huntsville; the crowd and Mother Nature for putting on a triathlon we won’t soon forget.
A BIG shout out to all the organizers and volunteers (kids and adults alike) – pre-race, race day and post-race. Those who were at the summit center (Friday through to Saturday), including those in the photos above, ensuring the event ran smoothly. The OPP, EMS and Medic teams on the course ensuring athlete safety.
Swim – to the boaters, paddleboarders and others assisting, ensuring swimmer safety and guidance throughout the swim course,
Bike – those in transition ensuring the security of the bikes, the people from the Baysville/Dorset community providing drinks and nutrition especially in the rain and lightning,
Run – to the Muskoka FC U14 Girls soccer team, Arrowhead Nordic Ski Club, and Muskoka Montessori school for co-ordinating and manning the three aid stations with a continuous stream of runners. A long day in the hot sun and humid conditions but lifting the runners’ spirits with encouragement and refreshments/nutrition to help the athletes through the run course.
To the many spectators waiting patiently and cheering all athletes along the course. To 98% of other road users who patiently shared the road and were cautious when passing. Lastly, to the residents around Brunel Rd and North Mary Lake Road who were affected by the hard road closures – thanks for your patience and understanding.
WITHOUT ALL of YOU and your actions/involvement (whether small or large, and NOT forgotten) – events like these would never happen. Muskoka 70.3 promotes Huntsville, and YOU make the difference that this race stands out amongst the racing circles. This event definitely helps the community and surrounding areas in the long term. Thank you, and YOUR awesome help was greatly appreciated.