The Greenmen Invade the Subaru Vancouver International Triathlon Vancouver's Famous Greenmen and Annamay Pierse join hundreds of Pro and Amateur Athletes

Jul 03, 2010

This Sunday marks the 4th running of the Subaru Vancouver International Triathlon at Jericho Beach.  Over 900 athletes from 10 countries will descend upon Spanish Banks to take part in one of Vancouver's fastest growing sporting events. 

Highlighting this year's race will be "Sully" and "Force", otherwise known as the Greenmen. These 2 highly popular crazed Canuck fans outfitted in their green spandex costumes are known for mocking opposing players in the penalty box and have garnered a national celebrity status.  The Greenmen have discovered the day before the race that they can't swim so they have recruited Canada's best female swimmer, Olympian and current world record holder Annamay Pierse, in hopes of beating Olympic Gold Medal Rower Ben Rutledge. 

On the pro side, last year's defending women's champion, and recent Ironman 70.3 Texas Champion, Magali Tisseyre of St. Sauveur, Quebec, is back to defend her title along with a number of high profile athletes taking part including:

Heather Wurtele - Ironman St. George and Ironman Coeur D'Alene Champion
Christine Fletcher - Last Year's Vancouver International Triathlon 3rd place finisher
Janet Nielsen - 2nd Place Women's Finisher at the recent New Balance Half Iron

And on the men's side:

Stephen Kilshaw – 2nd place last year and Subaru Shawnigan Lake Triathlon Champion
Chris Boudreaux - 2nd Place Men's Finisher at the Subaru Shawnigan Lake Half Iron,
Trevor Wurtele - Heather's husband and pro athlete
Jeff Symonds – 6th at Ironman 70.3 California this year
Mike Neill – Canada's long distance athlete of the year, top Canadian in Kona

The race's rapid rise in popularity has been in large part due to the fact that it is one of the few triathlons in the world that will take place in an urban setting yet has the stunning natural beauty of the Spanish Banks beaches framed by the backdrop of the city skyline and panoramic North Shore Mountains.  Last year the event was named "Top 10 Urban Triathlons on the Planet" by US-based Triathlete Magazine.  The event has attracted athletes of all ages and abilities from around the world - some who are simply looking to finish, others such as the professionals preparing for the famous Hawaii Ironman.  The race has also garnered a great deal of national exposure being aired multiple times nationally in a 60 minute program over the last 2 years.

The Subaru Vancouver International Triathlon is the 3rd stop in the Subaru Western Triathlon Series (www.triseries.ca) hosted in the magnificent setting of the Spanish Banks beaches framed by the backdrop of the city skyline and panoramic North Shore Mountains.  Next stop on the Series is the Subaru Sooke Triathlon on August 8th.

For more information contact Shantel Cordeiro at Shantel@triseries.ca or 250-744-3648