At a press conference held on June 19 at the Laurent-Meury rotunda in Delpha-Sauvé Park, the organizing committee announced the official launch of the 21st edition of the Valleyfield Triathlon. The event, which has become the must-attend sporting event for athletes of all levels in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, will be held on August 17 and 18 on this enchanting site. 

Details of the 21st edition of this event, which attracts hundreds of athletes every year, were presented under a warm sun and in the presence of city councillor France Chenail, who acted as pro-mayor for the occasion. Sylvain Leblanc and Rodolphe Demers, representatives of Members of Parliament Claude Reid and Claude DeBellefeuille, were also on hand for the occasion. 

The organizing committee took advantage of Ms. Chenail's presence to announce that the City of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield is the official presenter of this 20th edition.  

"The team would like to express its deep gratitude to the City for its undeniable support, commitment and trust. Thanks to this invaluable collaboration, the event can take place in optimal conditions", commented Janick Tétreault-Moise of the organizing committee. 

Ambassador

The committee took the opportunity to unveil its ambassador: Isabelle Dalcourt.

Director of the Saint-Zotique beach, Isabelle is a proud swimmer, a fervent promoter of healthy lifestyle habits and the embodiment of the event's values. Her unwavering passion has led her to take part in various swimming competitions, from Canadian championships to world masters championships.She generously shares her love of swimming by teaching the discipline for over 25 years.

The inspiring ambassador will be present on the Valleyfield Triathlon course, as she takes part in the aquathlon, a new event in the 2024 event program. 

Youth section presented by Vision Jeunesse in collaboration with Desjardins

The Valleyfield Triathlon also confirms the enhancement of its Volet Jeunesse, an initiative specially designed to inspire and engage young athletes, and which this year replaces the School Triathlon, which had to be put on pause.

The program is divided into four child-friendly categories:- Youth 1 - U5 and U7 (ages 4 to 7);

 - Youth 2 - U7 and U9 (6 to 9 years);

- Youth 3 - U9 and U11 (8 to 11 years);

- Youth 4 - U11 and U13 (10 to 13 years).

Each triathlon category will comprise three events: swimming in the park's heated pool, cycling on a closed circuit and running in the park. Only category 4 will have a swim in Baie Saint-François.

At the beginning of June, the organizing committee undertook an extensive distribution campaign, circulating over 1,000 educational kits to schools in the Suroît region.Designed to promote healthy lifestyle habits and triathlon, the kits include a variety of fun exercises designed to encourage young people to adopt an active lifestyle. In addition to providing educational resources, the kits allow fourth-grade students to participate in the triathlon free of charge. Each school participating in this initiative also has the chance to win one of 50 free registrations for the individual initiation event, valued at $75, or the team initiation event, valued at $95. 

Volet D3couverte presented by Desjardins

Supported by Desjardins, this event encourages participants to discover triathlon and develop their sporting skills. Scheduled for Saturday, August 17, it includes a 375 m swim in Baie Saint-François, a 10 km flat bike course in the downtown area, and a 2.5 km run in Parc Delpha-Sauvé.D3couverte events are accessible to all, and specifically adapted to welcome first-time triathletes.

Running section presented by Club Rotary

A running event is also planned, with courses running along Baie Saint-François and through the heart of downtown. Various distances are proposed for all ages and levels, including a 1 km course for under-12s, a 5 km course and a 10 km course.Both avid runners and those looking for a new challenge can come and experience the excitement of triathlon at this event.

New

The Valleyfield Triathlon organizing committee and local merchants worked closely together to revise the race circuits to meet the requirements of the City of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield.For the 2024 edition, the organization is proposing a number of changes to the courses.In order to reconcile the needs of citizens, shopkeepers, organizers, volunteers and athletes, they have opted for a 5 km bike loop using only Victoria Street and Quevillon Boulevard, and a 1 km loop inside Delpha-Sauvé Park for the run. Swimming events This year, the organizing committee is offering swimmers the chance to take part in individual or team events over distances of 1, 2 or 4 km. It's crucial to underline the importance of the people on the water, who ensure the safety of these events.Their presence guarantees optimal conditions for participants to give their best in complete serenity.

Registration

To find out about all the Valleyfield Triathlon events scheduled for this August, including the Sprint and Olympic sections, visit triathlonvalleyfield.com.Registrations are already open for participants of all ages.Participants can register for the events of their choice by visiting the official website: triathlonvalleyfield.com/je-minscris.This year, the organization is aiming to gather 800 participants, and is counting on the participation of the regional population to achieve this ambitious goal.The organization would like to thank its 125 dedicated volunteers, whose exceptional work and unwavering commitment make this event possible.

Numerous partners

Partners play a crucial role in the success of the Valleyfield Triathlon. The organization would like to thank them warmly for their generous support and commitment, enabling us to offer high-quality events and create an unforgettable experience for all participants. A special mention goes to the Régates de Valleyfield and their invaluable collaboration over the years.The synergy between their two organizations is essential, and the Régates de Valleyfield and their team have greatly contributed to the success of the Valleyfield Triathlon.

You can register for the Valleyfield Triathlon via this link: https://triathlonvalleyfield.com/.