Beautified Paradise triathlon a hit with runners
By Mark Squibb, The Shoreline
The trails and ponds of Paradise make for a perfect triathlon course, according to organizers of the Paradise Trailside Triathlon.
The event, which organizers say is the province’s lone trail triathlon, is a revival of sorts of a triathlon that used to run around Octagon Pond and through the industrial park, with the second annual race held on July 26.
“Paradise has beautiful trails,” said Andrea Duguid. “It has that trail bed, and Peter Barry Duff Park, and the beach and the woods. So, we decided that we were going to revamp the course and make it a qualifier. There’s so much beauty in Paradise and our team felt like we were missing it by running the road in the industrial area. So, we put this together last year and got it approved by Tri NL and rolled with it. And people love it.”
Participants swam 500 metres in Octagon Pond, biked 18 kilometres along the T’railway towards Spruce Hill Road intersection in CBS, and then ran five kilometres along Topsail Pond and Peter Barry Duff Park.
William Duggan was declared the winner with a time of 1:04:39. Karen Martin was the quickest female with a time of 1:16:03.
Ninety-one people competed – nearly double the figure who competed in 2025 – but despite the increase, Duguid said the idea of a triathlon can be intimidating. It’s the swim portion more than anything else that deters some from registering, she allowed. To that end, folks can opt out of the swimming segment altogether and substitute extra running.
Organizers do their best to make the event welcoming for beginners – the swim portion is shorter than other triathlons, and the bike course follows a walking trail rather than a roadway to avoid oncoming traffic.
“We also do a lot of practice routes,” added Duguid. “People can come and try the course, because some people will need to know they can do it before doing it.”
But the course is not without it’s challenges, both in the preparation and execution.
“You’re dabbling in three disciplines,” said Duguid. “You have to do a bit of swimming, a bit of biking, and a bit of running, so you have to plan your weeks and make sure you’re hitting all three disciplines.”
Those interested in running the triathlon next year, or any other triathlon held throughout the province, can contact Triathlon NL, TriAvalon, or ROCK Racing Triathlon Club.
“We’re all willing to help because people helped us,” said Duguid. “I couldn’t swim 25 metres 15 years ago but I managed to do a full Iron Man. So, if I can do it, anyone can. At the end of the day there’s all these great coaches and people wanting to help.”
The Paradise race is also a trail triathlon world qualifying event.