Shanda Hill speaking to supporters at her welcome home at the Vernon Elks Lodge in Vernon Sunday (Vernon Matters photo)

By Kevin Rothwell

Shanda Hill homecoming

Vernon super athlete gets champions’ welcome home

Oct 30, 2023 | 5:00 AM

World champion ultra triathlete Shanda Hill returned to the Okanagan Saturday night triumphant from winning a Double Deca in San Felipe, Mexico.

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 triathlons.

Over the past two months, Hill swam an impressive 152 km, biked a whopping 7,200 km, and ran 1,688 km.

“I find it incredible. The scars from my bike crash were healing as I was racing, so I feel really great. I pay a lot of attention to my nutrition. My nails got extremely thick during the race, which shows you are on top of your nutrition. I’m so grateful,” Hill said of her post race condition. “You have to push yourself to be uncomfortable, that is how you learn something about yourself and grow.”

The 41-year-old Vernonite was greeted by friends and family at Kelowna International Airport, including her boyfriend Jacs Spence, who on bended knee, proposed marriage.

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Sunday afternoon, about 100 supporters attended a reception at the Vernon Elks Hall, where Hill received a rock star welcome, signing autographs and being interviewed on stage about her life and athletic career and taking questions from the crowd.

A large crowd was on hand to greet Shanda Hill (Vernon Matters photo)

“I was really surprised, and I think it is incredible that people came out. People’s time is valuable. It always amazes me and it is always so special to my heart,” Hill told Vernon Matters.

Hill is already in the Ultra Triathlon Association Hall of Fame, but isn’t finished, noting people are competing into their 60’s.

“This is such a sport where it is equal physical and equal mental and I think that gives you such a longevity. I have a couple of more goals, and if I have the races to attain those goals, I’m not sure when I will stop, maybe when I stop loving it,” Hill said.

The 2024 Ultra schedule hasn’t been released yet, however there are talks of a Deca in Brazil and a Triple Deca next fall in Italy.

“If there are any rumours going around, those would be the two races that I’m looking at,” Hill stated.

Hill’s prestigious position in the sport has also prompted the potential of holding an event in B.C., perhaps even in the Okanagan.

“Oh gosh, during the last race I was talking to Jacs and I said I would love in the future to be able to organize an event like this. Take all the experience I have and make it the best event, make it an event where all the athletes say, ‘”that one in Canada is the one to measure all races against,”‘ Hill remarked.

Hill is able to race with support from local companies Keith Construction, Rancho Vignola and Reimer Brothers Trucking.

For more information on Hill click here.