Stonetown Triathlon gives back with $3,426 donation for St. Marys youth

Stonetown Triathlon organizer Garth Jansen presented the Town of St. Marys with a donation of $3,426 raised through this year’s second annual triathlon. Pictured, Jansen (centre) presents the donation to members of council before the Oct. 13 St. Marys council meeting.

By Galen Simmons

After two years of bringing young athletes to St. Marys for swimming, cycling and running, the Stonetown Triathlon is now giving something back to the community that has helped it grow.

Balance Point Triathlon Club’s Garth Jansen, organizer of the annual event, presented St. Marys council with a cheque for $3,426.93 on Oct. 13, with the money earmarked for youth programming in town.

Jansen said the triathlon grew out of St. Marys hosting triathlon events during the Ontario Summer Games roughly three years ago and has now been held twice as a standalone event. He credited the town with helping make that transition successful.

“The town itself is second to none as far as support goes,” Jansen told council, pointing to assistance with roads, policing and facilities. “We look at it more as a co-hosting.”

This year’s event was held July 5 and invited athletes aged eight to 19 to swim in the St. Marys Quarry, cycle through town and run along the Thames River. Proceeds were designated to support St. Marys Youth Centre programs.

Jansen said participation doubled from the first year, with the number of local children taking part roughly tripling after he spent four days at Little Falls Public School introducing students in grades four to six to the sport. His goal for next year is to continue building local participation, particularly among children aged eight to 12.

“We didn’t get an abundance of numbers out, but it was at least triple what we did the year before,” Jansen said. “Our overall numbers doubled.”

The event also added an adult division this year, with Jansen estimating about 18 adults participated.

He said the donation exceeded his expectations. Organizers had anticipated giving back about $2,000 before ultimately raising more than $3,400. Jansen told council he hopes the money directly helps young people access programs and activities.

“If I can see kids able to be participating in things because of it, that’s my go-to,” he said.

Coun. Fern Pridham thanked Jansen for the donation and asked what he would most like to see the money support. Jansen said his preference would be helping remove financial barriers that keep young people “on the sidelines.”

Mayor Al Strathdee also thanked Jansen for growing the event and for his efforts to introduce more young people to the sport.

“We’re always trying to bring more people to St. Marys,” Strathdee said, adding council has heard positive feedback and is encouraged by the triathlon’s growth and its support for local youth.