Dear Editor:
As the race director of the Heart of the Rockies Triathlon, I would like to acknowledge the incredible athletic performance of 29-year-old Jakub Sumbera of Invermere at this years Heart of the Rockies Triathlon on July 17th. Jakub was the first athlete to cross the finish line in the Olympic distance event with a time of 2:07:58, which is a new course record and 3:40 minutes ahead of the second-place finisher. Not only is Jakub the first valley resident to win first place on this very challenging race course, it was Jakubs first Olympic triathlon.
If you happen to see Jakub, make sure you pass on congratulations to him for his outstanding performance. Past winners of the Heart of the Rockies Triathlon have all been from urban areas which provide training facilities and clubs, expert coaching and a large supportive triathlon community of swimmers, cyclists and runners. For Jakub to accomplish what he has here in the valley is phenomenal and I salute him.
The ladies overall winner, Kari Gregory, whose family owns a home in the valley, also had a remarkable performance with a time of 2:26:07. Kari is a veteran triathlete at 46, and the mother of four delightful girls, Tate, 8; Quinn, 10; Perri, 12; and Terese, 14, all of whom have competed or volunteered in the Young Hearts Triathlon or as part of the team in the Heart of the Rockies Triathlon.
Congratulations to all the competitors, and thank you to everyone who helped support the event.
Bruce Stroud, Race Director
Heart of the Rockies Triathlon/Young Hearts Triathlon
Bruce Stroud
Invermere
