Shanda Hill crosses finish line in first place at Double Deca in Mexico (submitted photo/Facebook)

By Pete McIntyre

Vernon super athlete

Hill crosses finish line first, makes history

Oct 20, 2023 | 10:00 AM

The third time is a charm.

Vernon ultra athlete Shanda Hill has made history after crossing the finish line at the Double Deca triathlon in San Felipe, Mexico.

That ended 27 days of swimming, biking and running for the 41-year-old athlete in one of the world’s most challenging events.

Raising a Canadian flag at the finish line, Hill came in first among the three remaining participants in the endurance race that started Sept. 23 with six entrants.

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Shanda Hill at running course in San Felipe Mexico (submitted photo/Facebook)

It’s Hill’s second Double Deca finish in the last two months after another one in Switzerland last month, and the third of her career after also completing a Double Deca in Mexico in 2019, making her the only person to ever conquer three of the grueling marathons.

“With this historic feat, Hill, solidifies her reputation as one of Canada’s top-tier ultra triathletes and gains global recognition,” a posting on her Facebook page stated. “Over the past two months, Shanda swam an impressive 152 km, biked a whopping 7,200 km, and ran an incredible 1,688 km.”

The posting added the Double Deca Ultra triathlon is the ultimate test of human endurance, pushing the boundaries of physical and mental limits. Athletes are tasked with completing the staggering equivalent of twenty iron-distance triathlons, taking on the following distances over an extended continuous period:

• Hill is now one of just three people worldwide who have conquered two Double Decas, putting her in an exclusive group.
• With the successful completion of the Double Deca in Mexico, Hill becomes the only person to conquer three Double Deca Ultra triathlons.
• As of today, Hill has achieved the astounding equivalent of 100 long-distance triathlon races in just seven years, earning her a spot in the prestigious IUTA Hall of Fame.
• Hill holds the female world record for the most long-distance triathlons completed in a calendar year.

Ronny Roesler from Germany came in second.

Hill’s accomplishment is not lost on her many admirers on social media, with her finish garnering over 1,000 likes on her Facebook page and over 400 comments.

“Superb. Canadian athlete of the year. A shoe-in for induction into the BC and Canadian Sport Hall of Fame,” one person commented.

“Wow. Shanda Hill Ultra Athlete you are incredible. I can’t imagine the challenges you overcame. From North Okanagan Athlete of the Year to World Champion you are an incredible human.Congratulations,” said another person

Hill was named the Tim Hortons North Okanagan Athlete of the year in 2020.