Wayne Stokley of Puslinch was one of 500 Canadians who took part in the ITU (International Triathlon Union) Age Group Standard World Championship on Sept. 19.
Stokley, a Puslinch councillor, completed the Olympic distance event (1.5km swim, 40km bike, and 10km run) in 2:48, beating his previous best time by four minutes.
In a recent interview with the Advertiser, Stokley explained that his participation in an Ironman competition in 2013 increased his confidence to try something he never had before. His goal then became to qualify to represent Canada at the world championships.
That happened in Magog, Quebec in July, 2014.
This year he began a training program to work on the Olympic distance race. Part of that training included a 30km Around the Bay race in Hamilton and the Mississauga half-marathon.
During the summer, Stokley was on the podium for all five triathlons he took part in to prepare for the race in Chicago – Woodstock Sprint (2nd), Guelph Olympic (2nd), Gravenhurst Olympic (1st), Bracebridge Olympic (2nd), Wasaga Olympic (3rd).
“But I also knew that in Chicago I would be competing with people from all over the world so I knew my expectations couldn’t be as high as they were in Ontario,” he said.
Stokley went to Chicago “and the race really fulfilled my expectations.”
He was competing against ex-Olympian athletes, international cyclists and runners and people who had been doing the event all their lives.
“I was excited to be a part of that. My goal was to do well in the race and I feel I was successful in that.”
Stokley cut four minutes off his best time this summer.
“The competition really helped my motivation.”
In Chicago Stokley placed third among the six Canadians in his age group and 32nd among 47 overall in his age group (60 to 69).
Comparing his results to teammates with the Waterdown Fighting Koalas Triathlon Team, one qualifier was a 20-year-old who completed the race in 2:20.
Stokley commented on the opening ceremonies, where participants were marched into the stadium. Stokley added all aspects of the race were relatively close to the stadium.
“It was very exciting, it was beautiful day and I’m very glad I did it.”
Stokley estimated there were over 500 Canadians in the race – which had 1,717 participants. He suggested that even for his age category he made better time than a number of the younger people.
“I represented my country and did well as far as I was concerned. It was one of those things I’d thought about even when I was young,” he said. “To be 65 years old and to finally do it was a good sensation.”
Stokley noted he has one more race planned this season, the Road to Hope on Nov. 1.
Then, he quipped, he’ll be getting his skis out for the winter season.
