One of the cool things about being a race announcer is that it’s almost like hosting a party. People are usually pretty happy when they cross the finish line, so there’s a really positive vibe, and you get to reconnect with a lot of familiar faces you’ve been seeing on start lines for years.
You also get to meet a lot of cool new people. Last year at the Wasa Lake Triathlon, I was impressed by the young guy who won the super sprint by about five minutes.
This year, that same athlete moved up to the sprint distance—a 750-metre swim, 20-kilometre bike and 5-kilometre run—and had a terrific debut, finishing just about 10 seconds behind Canadian triathlon legend Sam Lazar.
Bentley Togo is one of Western Canada’s rising stars in short-course triathlon, and he’s already making a name for himself in Southern Alberta.
I wanted to find out a little more about the athlete behind those fast times, how he got into the sport and where he hopes to go with it. Here’s my conversation with Bentley Togo.
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As much as triathletes love to train, nothing matches the thrill of race day.
We all remember when COVID eased and we could toe the line again – charging through finish chutes, reconnecting with familiar faces, and celebrating the day’s battles.
None of those cool things about triathlon happens without TRI‑BC officials. They’re the ones who travel across the province and put in the sweat to ensure every triathlon is safe and fair.
This week on Fitspeek, we sit down with Greg Christensen, Technical Director for Triathlon BC, for a look at officiating.
We also discuss drafting, penalties, and talk about the sport from a different perspective. And for those who are interested, we dig into what is required to become a TRI-BC official. “If you would like more information about becoming a Triathlon Technical Official please email Greg at officials@tribc.org.
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With many Canadians celebrating the long weekend, Fitspeek looks back at what is probably the busiest month of triathlon in the country and delivers our July top 5 list.
1 Paula Findlay
If you’re old enough to remember the line, “I love it when a plan comes together,” you also probably remember a triathlon world without Paula Findlay. But Canada’s triathlon landscape has become a whole lot more interesting because of her.
Earlier this month, Findlay’s plan came together. Her first-ever IRONMAN. Her first-ever IRONMAN victory at Lake Placid.
Some may say her debut at the distance was a long time coming. But with all of her success at the 70.3 and T100 distances, why mess with a winning formula? Well, Paula’s patience in finally going all in at the IRONMAN distance paid off.
Her winning formula was vintage Findlay: stay near the front in the swim, crush the bike, then seal the deal on the run.
The last Canadians to stand atop the podium at the World Championships were Lori Bowden and Peter Reid in 2003.
Will Canada’s nearly quarter-century drought in Kona finally come to an end this fall?
2 Tyler Mislawchuk.
Tyler Mislawchuk is no stranger to this list. Last month’s No. 1 simply traded places with Paula Findlay—not because he had an off month, but because Findlay’s IRONMAN Lake Placid victory was impossible to ignore.
Mislawchuk spent July travelling like a migrating Canada goose. Hamburg. Toronto. Edmonton. If there were frequent flyer points for chasing podiums, he’d have earned a free trip by now.
The travel never slowed him down. He opened the month with a pair of respectable mid-pack finishes in Hamburg before returning to Canada to really rip things up. He landed in Edmonton and immediately got to work, collecting a pair of silver medals—one in the mixed team relay and the other after a gutsy, jaw-dropping sprint to the finish line in the individual race.
From there, it was off to Toronto for Supertri, where he capped off the month in style with a victory.
It’s another outstanding month for one of Canada’s most consistent triathletes, and more than enough to earn the No. 2 spot on this month’s Fitspeek Top 5.
3 Stefan Daniel
Although Stefan is making his debut on this list, he’s been on several lists of Canada’s Greatest Triathletes for over a decade.
World champion. Paralympic medallist. World Series winner. By now, excellence is simply expected.
July was another reminder of just how remarkably consistent Daniel has become. Racing against the world’s best, he added another international podium to an already overflowing résumé, proving once again that he’s one of Canada’s surest bets whenever he toes the start line.
One of the things that makes Daniel so impressive is that there are no shortcuts. Every race begins with a swim, followed by a bike and a run just like everyone else. The only difference is that he does it all while overcoming a congenital limb difference that has never defined him—only inspired others.
Maybe that’s why Daniel doesn’t always get the headlines he deserves. Winning has become almost routine.
For everyone else, that’s called greatness. For Stefan Daniel, it’s just another month—and it’s good enough for No. 3 on the Fitspeek Top 5.
4 Blake Harris
Before we tell you about this rising star from Manitoba, let’s run through a few names that could have claimed this spot but didn’t: Jackson Laundry, Cody Beals, Luke Tasker and Mitchell Kirby. All four have put together solid seasons, but none had the month Blake Harris did.
The former short-course elite has made the jump to the 70.3 and T100 distances, and he isn’t easing into it—he’s racing. A lot. Five 70.3 starts already this season.
In late June, Harris finished second in a stacked field at Mont-Tremblant. A few weeks later, he backed it up with a third-place finish at IRONMAN 70.3 Boise.
On a day when American Sam Long reminded everyone why he’s considered one of the strongest cyclists in the sport with a blistering 1:52 bike split, Harris hung tough, riding just under two hours before uncorking a blazing 1:10 half marathon. That’s about as fast as Lionel Sanders was running in his prime.
The scary part? Blake Harris is only 22 years old.
Give him a few more seasons of smart racing and steady development, and he just might become the most famous athlete ever to come out of Manitoba.
5 Sidney Clement
When we had Team Canada member Sophia Howell from Airdrie on the Fitspeek podcast, she was recovering from an injury and hoping to be back in time for the WTCS race in Edmonton. Unfortunately, she wasn’t quite ready.
Enter 21‑year‑old Sidney Clement.
She didn’t just fill a spot on Team Canada—she helped the squad capture a silver medal in the mixed team relay. The opportunity, and the result, lands Clement on the Fitspeek Top 5 for the first time.
The Victoria‑based triathlete has been steadily climbing the ranks, racing a busy schedule of Continental Cups and World Cups while gaining the experience needed to compete with the world’s best. Earlier this season, she narrowly missed the podium with a fourth‑place finish at the Americas Triathlon Championships, another sign that even bigger results are just around the corner.
Just as impressive as the silver medal was the confidence Triathlon Canada showed in handing Clement a spot on the team—and the way she rewarded that faith with a podium performance.
At just 21 years old, Sidney Clement may not be a household name yet. But if July was any indication, she won’t stay off the radar for long.
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Triathlon in Western Canada has become a lot more interesting thanks to my next guest! Jamie Parker is the owner of the Hummingbird Collective, a triathlon group out of the Lower Mainland.
In addition to supporting a roster of elite triathletes (such as Luke Tasker, Maia Watson, and Oliver Half winner Ryan Seaman) Hummingbird helps out age-groupers with advice on equipment, training, and race execution on their website. Hummingbird also is working hard to build bridges within the multisport community in Vancouver and across the province.
Hear more on what this new flock is doing on the provincial tri scene and what’s it in for you, by pressing play below.
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It’s that time of year when the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, and Toronto Maple Leafs are all polishing their short game, while the Montreal Canadiens are still smarting from a beatdown courtesy of the Carolina Hurricanes.
While most of us are still wondering if Sylvan Lake is finally warm enough for a wetsuit dip, our top racers are already firing on all cylinders around the world.
And it’s not just the usual suspects you’ll notice here. Our Top 5 list pulls from all distances of triathlon, and for good reason: our short-course racers are killing it on the world stage. These folks aren’t easing into spring; they’re already rolling hard and putting their stamp on the season before the ice even comes off Waskesiu.
Canada’s Top 5 Triathletes for May
It’s that time of year when the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, and Toronto Maple Leafs are all polishing their short game, while the Montreal Canadiens are still smarting from a beatdown courtesy of the Carolina Hurricanes.
While most of us are still wondering if Sylvan Lake is finally warm enough for a wetsuit dip, our top racers are already firing on all cylinders around the world.
And it’s not just the usual suspects you’ll notice here. Our Top 5 list pulls from all distances of triathlon, and for good reason: our short-course racers are killing it on the world stage. These folks aren’t easing into spring; they’re already rolling hard and putting their stamp on the season before the ice even comes off Waskesiu.
1. Charles Paquet
Charles Paquet has emerged as one of Canada’s biggest triathlon success stories of 2026. The 29-year-old from Sept-Îles, Quebec delivered the breakthrough performance of his career this spring with a bronze medal at WTCS Samarkand, becoming just the second Canadian man ever to reach a World Triathlon Championship Series podium.
Paquet has continued to build momentum with a recent fifth-place finish at the WTCS event in Alghero. Known for his gritty run finishes and aggressive racing style, he has quickly become one of the key faces of Canadian short-course triathlon in 2026.
2. Sophia Howell
Sophia Howell has continued her steady rise through 2026, building on a breakthrough 2025 season that included her first World Triathlon Cup podium with bronze in San Pedro de la Paz.
The 23-year-old from Airdrie, Alberta has shown consistent form on the international circuit this year, highlighted by a strong contribution to Canada’s bronze-medal performance in the mixed relay in Chengdu, China, alongside Tyler Mislawchuk, Charles Paquet, and Martin Sobey.
Known for her steady, composed racing across draft-legal formats, she continues to establish herself as a key part of Canada’s developing elite women’s program.
3. Brock Hoel
If you have never heard of Brock Hoel before don’t feel bad because you certainly will in 2026. The hottest long-course triathlon to come out of the Okanagan since Jeff Symonds Hoel has already put his name in the record books by posting the fastest Ironman time ever by a Canadian. He did that at Ironman Texas, where he finished fifth in 7:29:56 against a deep international field.
The Prince George-born athlete has transitioned steadily from a successful short-course and World Triathlon background into Ironman racing, carrying the speed and race craft developed through Canada’s national pathway into the full-distance ranks.
A former Canadian junior standout and Olympic pathway athlete, Hoel was long considered part of the country’s elite development system before shifting his focus toward long-course racing. His Texas result, including a 2:39 marathon off the bike, marked a significant step forward and signalled his potential as a future contender.
4. Tamara Jewett
Tamara Jewett was on our Top 5 list of Canadian triathletes in 2025, and it looks like she is well on her way to returning.
The Toronto-born, Victoria-based athlete opened her year with a victory at Challenge Wanaka Half in New Zealand before following it up with a fourth-place finish at Ironman New Zealand and a podium performance at Ironman 70.3 Geelong against a stacked professional field.
Known as one of the fastest female runners ever (up there with Erin Baker!) Jewett has also maintained a strong presence within the endurance sports community through her thoughtful training insights and growing social media profile. Her combination of elite performances, consistency, and relatability has made her one of the most influential Canadian triathletes of 2026 so far.
5. Tyler Mislawchuk
Tyler Mislawchuk reminded Canadian triathlon fans this spring that he remains one of the country’s most accomplished and relevant athletes.
The Manitoba native opened his 2026 campaign with a bronze medal at the World Triathlon Cup in Chengdu before helping Canada capture bronze in the mixed relay the following day. He followed that up with a solid showing at WTCS Alghero this past weekend.
A three-time Olympian, one of the most recognizable personalities in Canadian triathlon, and a guy who is not afraid to dabble in long-course racing, Mislawchuk combines elite-level results with a strong social media presence and remains a key figure on Canada’s international triathlon scene.
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What a month for running — a new world record, big numbers at the Sun Run and Vancouver Marathon, and huge turnouts here in the Okanagan. Running is cool again!
One of the key voices in Penticton’s running community is Neil MacDonald — an accomplished long‑distance runner, group leader with the Penticton Pounders, and owner of Peach City Runners.
On this episode, we sit down with Neil MacDonald of the Penticton Pounders to get his take on the marathon record + the surge in local running enthusiasm.
We also explore the business side of the sport — unpacking how Peach City Runners continues to thrive as an independent shop in a landscape dominated by big‑box chains + online retailers.
30 minutes of positive vibes + local insight, with the nicest guy in the sport – click below.
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This week on the show we introduce you to Mission’s Adam Vitkay. He’s an autobody guy by day, an endurance sports athlete by night (+ weekend), and a dad 24/7.
What makes Adam’s story interesting — and inspirational — is who he isn’t. He’s not a natural-born, groomed triathlete. He’s a blue-collar guy, through and through. No swim club background. No polished athletic résumé.
What he did have was a love of riding his bike as a kid. And when life as a sedentary middle-aged man stopped working for him, he made a decision: get back in shape. He started piling on the miles, one ride at a time.
Before long, he was good enough to take on the Ride to Survive — an epic fundraising journey from Kelowna to Delta.
After finding success on the bike, Adam was ready for a new challenge and discovered triathlon through friends. His first attempt didn’t go to plan — the swim got the better of him — but he put in the work, logging serious time in the water.
At Cultus Lake, he proved to himself, his friends, and his family that perseverance pays off.
Now he’s taking it even further. Adam has created his own cancer fundraiser, Tri 2 Survive — a 5K swim, 200K bike, and 45K run, set for Sunday, August 22. Hit the play button below to hear Adam’s story and how you can contribute to the cause.
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Saskatchewan’s sporting universe is known for winter sports like curling + hockey but it also has a vibrant triathlon scene. This week on the show we travel east to find out about some of the province’s up + coming athletes.
From Lloydminster we have grade 8 student Kale Grasby. Even though he’s our youngest Fitspeek guest ever, he’s got a solid background as both a triathlete and a hockey referee.
From Shellbrook, we have Marcail Philip. With an amazing cardio engine developed from years of cross-country skiing, Marcail is excelling on the bike and winning races.
The elder spokesperson of the trio has an interesting story. Sam Wauer participated as a youth in the Kids of Steel program. 2 decades later he is back in the sport and headed to Europe to represent Canada at 2 world championship events.
Hear how these athletes got into the sport, what they are racing in 2026, and what their special powers are by clicking below.
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What could be more fun than having one of Canada’s top long-course triathletes on a podcast? Well, how about 3 of them?
Danielle Fauteux had an ambitious end to her season last year with some stellar performances at the Ironman distance, not only qualifying for the world championships but also going under 9 hours in Arizona.
In what could be labelled as a rebuilding year, Deb Eckhouse overcame (mostly) a mystery illness and a serious bike crash. She’s recovered and racing again!
And although it’s only April, Tamara Jewett has kicked off her season with a 3rd at Ironman New Zealand and a 4th at 70.3 Geelong, Australia. Both results come from world-class run performances.
On the show, we start with reviews of their 2025 seasons + previews of the upcoming year. After that, we geek out on race day nutrition. In her half-iron event in Australia Tamara consumed an average of 86g of carbs / hour. I wanted to know how her stomach responded to that load. She told us! We also get the inside scoop on what + how much Deb and Danielle take in. Most of us could learn from that!
And speaking of learning, back in the days of Lisa Bentley and Lori Bowden, social media wasn’t part of the job description. Now it very much is. While it helps athletes tell their story and build their brand, it also takes time — something today’s pros know all too well. In this episode, we chat about the role social media plays in their careers, the sponsors helping them get to the start line, and plenty more. Just over 30 minutes with 3 of Canada’s fastest long-course women is only a click away.
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Clint Lien is back on Fitspeek — tri-guru, writer for Triathlon Magazine Canada, and one of the forces behind the 94 Forward Triathlon Group in Victoria.
We start the episode on a somber note: the tragic passing of Canadian athlete Hannah Henry in Arizona. Clint shares what he knew of Hannah, the GoFundMe to support her, and reflects on the risks of training on the road.
From there, the conversation shifts to 94 Forward and the Victoria triathlon scene. Clint talks about the program’s history, who it’s for, and what it takes to thrive as a young Canadian triathlete. Along the way, he drops a few gems of philosophy:
“What you will do, you will get good at — if you do it enough.”
And his signature hardcore perspective on sports nutrition: he’d rather cut off a finger than pay five bucks for a gel.
Finally, we look ahead to 2026. Clint shares his excitement for the upcoming multisport season, what’s changed (and what hasn’t) in Canadian triathlon, and a peek at his personal adventures.
If you want unfiltered insight, laughs, and practical advice for athletes, this episode is for you. Click below to hear our conversation.
