Triathlon at the Ontario Summer Games
For many young triathletes, the Ontario Summer Games is their first taste of racing with team structure, formal rules, and provincial visibility. The two-day event includes both a team relay and an individual race, allowing athletes to test themselves and gain experience in fast-paced, Olympic-style formats.
Sport Overview
Triathlon has grown steadily within OSG since it was added to the program. What started as a single-day competition has evolved into a two-day event with individual and team components. Each edition builds on the last, improving athlete experience, refining race logistics, and giving young competitors a realistic entry into elite-level triathlon. For many, it’s also their first chance to race on closed roads and swim in natural open water under official draft-legal rules.
The event is overseen by Triathlon Ontario, the provincial governing body for multisport in the province. Their team leads athlete development, manages race certification, and works with local organizers to deliver fair and safe events across Ontario.
As Triathlon Ontario states in their mission:
“We provide leadership and governance to develop and grow multisport in Ontario as well as deliver a safe and fair environment for participation.” — Triathlon Ontario.
This mission is central to how the sport is delivered at the Games – structured, supportive, and aligned with long-term athlete development.
2024 Triathlon Overview in St. Marys
For the 2024 Ontario Summer Games, the triathlon was held on August 2 and 3 in the town of St. Marys, Ontario. The swimming portion took place at the historic St. Marys Quarry, while the cycling and running segments used closed roads through the town, including routes around the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
Venue Details:
- 🏊 Swimming: St. Marys Quarry (425 Water St. S)
- 🚴 Cycling: Queen St. E and Water St. S (closed from 7:00 AM to noon)
- 🏃 Running: Streets and parkland around the quarry and downtown area
Sixty athletes participated in the 2024 Games, completing two full days of racing, with road closures, detours, and community support ensuring a safe and high-energy event.
Age Groups and Race Format
Triathlon at the Ontario Summer Games is open to athletes 15 or 16 years old as of December 31 in the year of competition.
Each edition includes two racing formats:
Mixed Team Relay (Friday)
- Teams of four: male–female–male–female
- Each athlete completes a 300m swim, 5km bike, 1.5km run
- Teams are mixed by age and region, selected by Triathlon Ontario
- Team medals awarded
Super Sprint Individual Race (Saturday)
- Two heats of the same distance (300m / 5km / 1.5km)
- Times from both heats are added to determine final rankings
All races follow draft-legal rules, meaning athletes must be certified to race in a format that allows for strategic group riding in the bike portion.
How to Qualify for Future Games (2026)
To compete at the 2026 Ontario Summer Games (July 30–August 2 in Waterloo Region), athletes must:
- Be 15 or 16 years old as of December 31, 2026
- Hold a valid Triathlon Ontario membership
- Be draft-legal certified
- Earn a spot through one of the official qualifier races in 2025
2025 Qualifier Events (Confirmed So Far)
| Race Name | Location | Date | Spots Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stonetown Triathlon | St. Marys | July 6, 2025 | 7 |
| Red Shoes Triathlon | Kemptville | August 17, 2025 | 7 |
| Draft Legal Provincial Champs | Welland | August 30, 2025 | 7 |
A “Wild Card” qualifier will be added in 2026 to offer remaining athletes another chance to earn a spot. Team selection is based on performance, and results will be listed by Triathlon Ontario. For full details, visit Triathlon Ontario’s OSG page.
2024 Venue Highlights – St. Marys Quarry
The St. Marys Quarry is a natural limestone swimming hole turned public facility. First opened in the 1940s, it is one of the most scenic and historic open-water sites in the region.
- Water entry: Clean, accessible
- Cycling surface: Smooth asphalt, no rail crossings, closed to traffic
- Run segment: Flat, fast, and spectator-friendly
Local organizers, town staff, and volunteers worked closely with Triathlon Ontario to ensure smooth logistics, including parking redirection, detour signage, and downtown business coordination.
Past Results
Here’s a snapshot of past top finishers at the Ontario Summer Games triathlon:
🏁 2012 Girls Triathlon (Toronto)
| Place | Athlete | Hometown | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kirsten Vergara | Toronto | 00:50:37 |
| 2 | Emma Barrett | Guelph | 00:51:06 |
| 3 | Jacqueline Douglas | Toronto | 00:51:29 |
🏁 2012 Boys Triathlon
| Place | Athlete | Hometown | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aidan Zagar | Caledon | 00:45:12 |
| 2 | Alec Jarvis | Kanata | 00:45:43 |
| 3 | Willem Quosai | Guelph | 00:46:09 |
Why Triathlon at the Games Matters
This event isn’t just a race – it’s a stepping stone. Many of Ontario’s high-performance athletes began their journey at the Ontario Summer Games. Triathlon Ontario views the Games as a crucial part of the development pathway, giving young athletes experience in:
- Draft-legal racing
- Team relay formats
- Competing under pressure
- Building connections with clubs and coaches across Ontario
Thinking About Joining In?
There are multiple ways to be part of the triathlon community at the Ontario Summer Games:
- 🏋️ Athletes: Get certified, race in qualifiers, and aim to represent your region.
- 🎽 Coaches & Clubs: Support youth athletes with proper training and guidance.
- 🙋 Volunteers: Help with logistics, setup, and athlete support on race days.
- 👀 Spectators: Cheer from designated zones in downtown St. Marys or along the route in 2026 Waterloo.
For all triathlon-related info, visit:
📍 Office: 416-426-7025 (Toronto)