Update: Vernon ultra athlete batteling nausea, chlorine burns at race

Oct 7, 2019 | 3:29 PM

She got off to a difficult start — but Vernon’s Shanda Hill is still in the race at the world’s longest triathlon in Mexico, the Double Deca that goes on for 28 days.

Hill completed the 76 km swim Monday, but it was an “incredibly difficult experience,” according to Shanda’s media spokesperson Jacs Spence.

“She couldn’t keep her food down because of nausea for over eight hours. Temperatures were incredibly cold over night, and over the course of 60+ hours the chlorine burns were so bad she could barely feel her feet, hands, nose and eyes. But she has finished the 76 km swim portion,” Spence told Vernon Matters.

Spence says Shanda has started the second portion of the race, a 3,600 km bike ride.

“She is going to put cream on her face and get on her bike right away while others sleep just to make up time. She feels confident that she can catch up quickly. She said any time she felt like she couldn’t make it the thought of all the people back home cheering her on kept her going!”

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Hill was one of only 14 participants in the race in Leon Mexico, and one of five women.

The race concludes with an 844 km run.

You can find out more on Shanda Hill’s Facebook page.

Shanda Hill after her 76 km swim (submitted)

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Oct. 2

A Vernon athlete is ready for her next challenge — and what a challenge it will be.

Shanda Hill is attempting to be the first Canadian to finish the longest triathlon in the world.

The Double Deca race, that starts Saturday in Leon Mexico, is nonstop for 28 days, and involves a 76 kilometre swim, 3,600 km bike ride, and ending with an 844 km run.

“In three days I’ll be competing at a race that has been on my goal list since I started triathlon five short years ago. I wish to thank Rancho Vignola, family, friends and my community that has been so supportive! Proud to be a Canadian in my beautiful hometown of Vernon, B.C.,” said Hill on her Facebook page.

Hill, who is one of the top ultra athletes in the world, is one of only 14 athletes in the international field, and one of five women.

“In 2017 Shanda Hill, was ranked #1 in female ultra athletes in the world by the International Ultra Triathlon Association (IUTA) and made an IUTA confirmed world record as the first female to ever complete two Decas (10x triathlons) in a year. In August 2017 in Buchs, Switzerland she came in second female overall and then went on to complete a second Deca two months later in October 2017 at León, Mexico where she came in 1st place for females overall,” said a news release from Jacs Spence, Press Contact.

Canadians interested in following Shanda’s progress can do so on the official Triathlon Facebook page.

by Pete McIntyre

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