Tim Rowe will jump into some new waters this weekend.
The longtime spectator of the Pomeroy Inn & Suites Prince George Triathlon has decided it's time to wade into the competition. Rowe will compete in the sprint triathlon - a 0.75 km swim, 20 km bike and five km run.
"My personal goal is to survive the swimming and then continue with the run and the bike," said Rowe.
The 61-year-old said he just began open water swimming this year, training at West Lake Provincial Park where Sunday's triathlon will take place.
"I'm quite comfortable swimming in the pool, which I've done quite a bit, but swimming in open water, with a bunch of other people is somewhat intimidating."
Rowe said his anxieties are twofold, firstly that being unable to see the bottom of the lake creates a bit of uncertainty for him, while swimming with dozens of other swimmers in close quarters can sometimes cause problems.
After years of observing his friends compete, Rowe said it was the death of his old running buddy Joe Kelly, who passed away in March in Australia that convinced him to compete this year.
"I always felt that if Joe is doing triathlons in Australia I would try and do something here in Canada," said Rowe. "On the personal basis, when I'm doing it I'll be thinking of Joe. He was a good athlete and he was a good support of other people who wanted to participate."
While Sunday will be Rowe's first attempt at a triathlon, he said he has taken part in many marathons and half marathons since arriving in Prince George from England 22 years ago.
In June, he took part in the annual Prince George Y half marathon and before that he competed in the 2011 New York City marathon, which he qualified for the year before in Vancouver.
In December, Rowe said he's heading to Sacramento, Calif., for a marathon where he'll try to meet the qualifying standard for the Boston Marathon in 2015.
In addition to the sprint race, Sunday's event, starting at 9 a.m., will feature the Olympic triathlon (1.5 km swim, 40 km bike, 10 km run) and a duathlon (five km run, 40 km bike, five km run).
Race organizer Craig Somerville said the duathlon is a good way for people to experience the discipline without having to brave the open-water swim.
On Monday, there was about 80-100 people registered for the triathlon, which Somerville said was on pace with last year's participation. Registration is open until tonight at midnight, online at www.pgtriathlon.ca or by calling (250) 962-4665.
After the triathlon wraps up spectators are encouraged to join the competitors and volunteers for the awards ceremony and barbecue at 1 p.m.
