Sudburian Spencer Allen might not have medalled at the 2014 Ontario Summer Games in Windsor over the weekend, but he has established himself as an up-and-coming triathlete to watch.
The local product finished in sixth place overall in a field of 24 of the top young triathletes in the province, covering the slightly less than an official sprint distance in a time of 51:40.80.
Allen completed his 600m swim in 8:04, covered 15 kilometres on the bike in 25:26 and completed the event by posting a time of 17:29 in the 4.5km run. Overall, Allen came in 17 seconds behind fifth-place finisher Ryan McCallum of Richmond Hill, while race winner Ian Mackinnon posted an impressive time of 44:46.20, besting the field by more than three minutes.
One week earlier, Allen trailed only Liam Donnelly (Campbellville) and James Cooke (Burlington), earning a third-place medal at the Triathlon Ontario Provincial Draft Legal Championships (U15 Men) in Ottawa.
A total of 10 participants took part in this particular grouping, including many who would then make their way to Windsor over the ensuing week or so. Allen posted a time of 45:28.10, broken down as follows: 9:27 (500m swim); 18:48 (10km bike) and 17:14 (4km run).
Allen was not the only local triathlete in action, as a group of youngsters made the trip to Barrie on Sunday for the Kids of Steel races. Ethan Sheppard placed third in the U13 boys (field of 23), recording a time of 39:54.50 (300m swim/10km bike/3 km run), while Isabella Mastroianni nearly matched it, placing fourth of 33 (time of 39:12.50).
The next wave of triathlete was also strutting her stuff, with nine-year-old Elaina Allen-Hall finishing sixth (of 36) in the U9 girls bracket.