Athletes beat weather to finish St Malo Triathlon

After years of scorching hot weather, the 2026 St Malo Triathlon provided a little bit of relief this year. Cooler temperatures gave way to a rainstorm, with the top finishers beating the weather, while others completed their run through a downpour.

An afternoon storm didn’t dampen spirits at the event, although many of the participants rushed out of the provincial park before lightning arrived. The triathlon was at capacity, with every available spot filled by an athlete this year.

Terron Baker won the Olympic distance event, which includes a 1.5 km swim, 40 km bike ride and a 10 km run. The event appeared on track for a photo finish, with four participants within two minutes following the cycling portion but Baker pulled away with a dominant run.

His 36:46 time in the run was five minutes faster than every other competitor, as he won the event by those five minutes.

“That’s my favourite part, I love chasing people down (in the run),” Baker said after the race.

“I was excited to have people come out of the water ahead of me… It keeps me on pace, it keeps me motivated. It’s hard when you’re in the front and everyone’s behind you.”

Baker finished fifth at the world championships last year in duathlon, which consisted of a 10 km run, 40 km bike ride and 5 km run. He’s returning to worlds this year ready to compete in a full triathlon now that his swimming has improved. Baker finished the swim section in second place behind his former swim coach Patrick Peacock.

Heather McDonell won the women’s Olympic distance thanks to a balanced approach. She finished eighth in the swim, second in the cycling and third in the run to beat out Lisa Penner by three minutes.

Patrick Labossiere won the men’s sprint triathlon, which is half the distance for all sections. He easily erased a 30 second deficit after the swimming with a cycling section win, eking out a charging Nolan Law in the run to claim first.

The women’s sprint was dominated by the Champagne sisters. Addision and Rielle Champagne led the entire field out of the swim session. Three women finished first in the swim portion, with Rielle completing the 750 metre swim in under 10 minutes,. before fading in the bike ride to her sister.

Addison recently committed to South Dakota State to compete at the NCAA division 1 level in triathlon.

For more photos from the St Malo Triathlon, be sure to check out Carillon Sports Second Shots, published every week at www.thecarillon.com/sports.