Shanda Hill in Mexico, site of Double Deca triathlon (submitted photo)

By Pete McIntyre

Double Deca

Vernon woman takes lead with end of gruelling race in sight

Oct 19, 2023 | 1:00 PM

A Vernon athlete is on the final stretch at the Double Deca triathlon in Mexico and appears determined to finish on top.

Shanda Hill’s team reported on Thursday morning (Oct. 19), the ultra athlete had taken the lead among the three remaining competitors in the endurance race, with less than 100 kilometres to go in her 844 km run.

The development came on day 26 of Hill’s race, her second Double Deca in two months.

“Shanda is on the verge of etching her name into the hallowed annals of ultra triathlon history. Last night, Shanda fueled her inner fire with an epic six-hour slumber to prepare for the final push,” Hill’s Facebook page stated.

The 41-year-old Hill is just a few kilometres away from becoming the first person to complete three Double Deca ultra triathlons, after earlier ones in Switzerland this year and another one in Mexico in 2019.

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Double Deca’s are a continuous race that take place over the several weeks where participants swim for 76 kms, cycle 3,600 km, and finish with an 844 km run.

As of 8 a.m.CST Oct. 18, the race standings were:

1) Shanda Hill (Canada) – 753 km
2) Ronny Roessler (Germany) – 752 km
3) Tsai Ming-Yi (Taiwan) – 482 km

The race started on Sept. 23, and participants have until Tuesday, Oct. 24 to finish it.

Hill is getting lots of support on social media.

“Utterly incredible — and at the expense of being repetitive — awesome. How you do this, day after day, in pain, yet making such unimaginable progress — a truly mind-blowing experience to see your daily progress! Your dream is right there for the taking now, just keep being you…one step at a time!” wrote one person on Facebook.

“Way to go girl. Behind you all the way to the finish line. Canada could not of have a better athlete than you. So proud of your accomplishments,” said another person.