Shanda Hill will compete in the Bretzal Ultra Tri World Championships in France starting June 23. (Facebook photo)

By Pete McIntyre

Tri World Championships.

Vernon ultra athlete off to France for endurance event

Jun 14, 2024 | 12:15 PM

A history-making Vernon ultra athlete is ready for her next ultra challenge.

Shanda Hill will be in Colmar, France this month to compete in one of the most gruelling endurance races in the world: the Bretzal Ultra Tri World Championships.

The competition begins on June 23 and must be completed by June 30.

Hill, 41, will compete against 35 elite athletes, including 12 women. She is the only Canadian entered, according to the start list posted online.

The event is the equivalent of five consequtive Iron-distance triathlons, featuring a 19 kilometre swim, a 900-kilometre bike ride, and a 211-kilometre run.

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“Shanda’s participation in this extreme event follows an extraordinary year marked by remarkable achievements,” a news release fro Hill’s team stated. “She is now one of only three individuals worldwide who have completed two Double Deca races. With the successful completion of her last Double Deca in Mexico, Shanda has become the only person on Earth to finish three Double Deca Ultra Triathlons, solidifying her place in the annals of ultra-endurance sports.”

Over the past seven years, Hill has completed the equivalent of 100 long-distance triathlon races, earning her a coveted spot in the prestigious IUTA Hall of Fame. Additionally, she holds the female world record for the most long-distance triathlons completed in a calendar year.

“As Shanda Hill gears up for the World Championships at the Bretzal Ultra Tri in Colmar, she inspires athletes and fans worldwide. Her relentless determination and incredible achievements continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in ultra-endurance sports,” the news release added.