Caledon’s Bechtel looking ahead to bright season

Sean Bechtel C3's Sean Bechtel has been one of Canada's best endurance triathletes over the past decade. Bechtel got started into triathlon doing Ontario's Kids of Steel program when he was just a 13- years-old.

Over the last decade, Bechtel made Junior National Teams, Pan American Teams and World Championship Teams for Canada. Bechtel swam and ran cross-country while he was at McMaster University and now is racing on the international pro circuit around the world.

"Sean is an incredibly dedicated athlete and he continues to improve each year," said Caledon's Olympic coach Barrie Shepley.

Bechtel has been in Tucson, Arizona, for two months, preparing for the quickly approaching 2010 Triathlon Season ahead.

"We have been putting in huge training weeks in Arizona and I know this is going to be my best year ever," said the Mayfield High School graduate.

One of Bechtel's big charity projects is his work on the 10th annual C3

Kinetico Kids of Steel Triathlon May 30.

"I was lucky enough while growing up to have the Caledon Kids of Steel Triathlon to participate in and I want to make sure that local kids have a chance to experience that same enjoyment," said Bechtel.

The C3 Kinetico Kids Of Steel Triathlon was started 10 years ago to honour Simon Whitfield's victory at the Sydney Olympic Games. Each year, 700-plus kids and 200-plus adults participate in the yearly community event.

"Stewart Barclay has been our race director for many years and his attention to detail is incredible," said Bechtel.

The biggest category at the yearly race is the three to six year-old-age category where kids can wear water jackets in the mini-swim, ride on their tricycles for a few hundred meters and then jog 300-metres to the finishing line before they cross the line and get their finishers medal, t-shirt, and post-race meal. Two year age categories exist for kids from three years of age up to adult mini-triathlons.

In addition to the May 30 C3 Kinetico Kids of Steel Triathlon, is an eight-week Kids of Steel Training Clinic (Friday evenings). Bechtel and his C3 elite teammates will be at the May 30 race to meet the kids and helping run the Friday night Kids of Steel Clinics. More details on the race and clinics and how to register at www.c3online.ca