Media Release

March 18, 2004 --- Three Manitobans to Receive National Triathlon / Duathlon Award

Triathlon Canada will be recognizing the 2003 National Award Winners at their Annual Awards Evening on Saturday March 20^th in Toronto.  The awards recognize the accomplishments of Canada’s top elite, under 23, junior and age group competitors, and the support personnel who assist them.  In all, twenty-nine individuals will be honored for their tremendous efforts in 2003 - three of the athletes are Manitobans. 

Jacques Marcoux: Triathlon Canada Junior Male Duathlete of the Year.

In 2003, Jacques excelled at both the provincial and national level and also made the move up to International racing. This young man has been undefeated provincially in both the 2002 and 2003 racing seasons in the junior age category. Jacques won the gold medal at Duathlon Nationals in the Junior Elite division and he was the top Canadian junior male, placing 32^nd at the World Duathlon Championships in Switzerland, August 2003.  Jacques was named by Inside Triathlon Magazine as one of the top 2003 North American Junior male performers.  Jacques has been training with the Manitoba-National Triathlon Centre (MNTC) for the past 3 years.  He is a very committed and focused athlete, who continues to demonstrate performance improvements. 

Jenna Wilson: Triathlon Canada Junior Female Duathlete of the Year.  

Jenna, in only her second competitive year in the sport, has continued to make significant improvements.  She shone in the two biggest National races of the season where she was the top Manitoban at both events, winning the gold medal at Duathlon National in the junior elite category.  Her national performance resulted in spots on the Canadian teams for Worlds for both Duathlon and Triathlon.  She was the only Canadian junior female to race for Canada at both World events in 2003.  Inside Triathlon Magazine named Jenna to both the Triathlon and Duathlon top performers lists for the 16-19 categories. She was the only North American junior to make both lists.  She trains with the MNTC where she’s working hard to continue improving on her performances. 

Dan Morwood: Triathlon Canada Age Group Long Distance Triathlete of the Year.

Dan has been focusing on long course racing these past seasons. He started off the 2003 season by racing in Spain at the ITU Long Course Worlds, where he finished in the top 20 of his age group and was the top Canadian finisher overall.  In July, he defended his title in Morden, MB at the Half Ironman event.  On an extremely hot afternoon, he won the event in time of 4:33.21 In September he competed in the Ironman Wisconsin, finishing 16th overall and 2nd in his age group.  His goal at that event was to qualify for an Ironman Hawaii World spot for 2004, and he achieved this.   Dan has ultimately proven himself on the National and International scene in addition to illustrating his talents at the shorter distance in our Province. He was named Triathlon Manitoba’s Athlete of the Year for 2003, the first time a long distance athlete has won this award. Dan lives/trains in Brandon and is a member of the Westman Triumphs Team.

Complete information on all the Triathlon Canada awards recipients can be found at www.triathloncanada.com

This page was last updated on March 18, 2004