By Josh Howald

When the 12th annual Kincardine Women’s Triathlon comes to a close, there will be a new champion.

Saturday is race day in Kincardine, as 329 competitors will flood the shoreline to race the biggest little triathlon around. The sprint distance course was won by Ripley’s Amy Snobelen in 2011.

Snobelen, who completed the 350-metre swim, 12-km bicycle and a three-km run in 45 minutes and four seconds, is not registered in this year’s race. She has moved on to compete in longer races, leaving this year’s event wide open.

It’s only fitting the race has a new champion this year, as the event has a new race director and several new committee members. Laura Trepanier stepped down after last year’s event, giving way to Melanie Fisher.  She said Sunday she made a handful of changes that the athletes will notice.

A $1,500 donation from Bruce Power didn't hurt the Women's Triathlon in exceeding a goal of raising $10,00 for the Ontario March of Dimes. Presenting the cheque to race director Melanie Fisher, middle, is Catherine Williams, left and Dominique Jackson. (submitted photo)

“We’ve changed the registration process totally,” she said. “That’s one of the major changes participants will notice. And we have made plenty of other changes as well - we have a new photographer, a new logo, new sponsors and a new website, for example.”

The new site is www.kincardinetraithlon.com. That’s how competitors registered for this race, which sold out in just five days – a new record.

“And hopefully we beat that again next year.”

The committee had set a goal to raise more than $10,000 for the March Of Dimes this year, and that has already been accomplished, said Fisher. Certainly, receiving $1,500 of sponsorship money from Bruce Power last week, and another $500 from Bruce Telecom helped with that.

Fisher said more than 100 volunteers are involved in making sure Saturday’s race is a good one.

“We’re done, we’re good,” laughed Fisher. “Everything is good and we’re ready to go.”

Huron Terrace/Penetangore Row south from Lambton Street to Kincardine Avenue will be closed to traffic from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, as will Goderich Street from Kincardine Avenue to Boiler Beach Road and south to the 10th Concession of Huron.

Athletes will do a staggered start (in age groups) from Station Beach at 9 a.m. The ladies will complete a 350m swim, then hop on their bikes and head south on Huron Terrace and the shore road to the 10th Concession of Huron and back. Back at the harbour, they will ditch their bikes and run the boardwalk to Goderich Street, and back.

Competitors have registered form as far away as Germany for this year’s race. An orientation session will take place tomorrow (Thursday) night at the harbour for competitors. Fisher said if she had to pick a favourite, it would be local gal Sandy Elston of the Kincardine Triathlon Club.

“She’s been training hard, and I’ve been bugging her for years now to win this race,” she said.

“We’re hoping for nice weather and warm water. And we hope everybody will come out and see what it’s all about and cheer on our racers.”