Shanda Hill is more than halfway through her 844 km run at the Double Deca race in Mexico, her second such even in the past two months. (submitted photo/Facebook)

By Pete McIntyre

Double Deca

Vernon athlete closing in on finish line…and history

Oct 16, 2023 | 11:00 AM

A Vernon ultra athlete is said to be “finding her rhythm” as she closes in on an historic feat.

Shanda Hill is more than halfway through her run at the Double Deca race in Mexico, a gruelling endurance event that has just three people left in it. It includes a 76 km swim, a 3,600 km bike ride an an 844 km run.

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

It’s the second Double Deca in the last two months for Hill, 41, after she completed the same race in Switzerland in mid-September.

“Upon completing the Double Deca in Mexico, Hill will stand alone as the only person in the world to have conquered three Double Deca ultra triathlons,” a posting on Hill’s Facebook page stated.

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As of Sunday morning (Oct. 15), Hill had completed half of the 844 km run.

“The Mexican Double Deca is one of the most demanding races she has ever undertaken, evident from the fact that it began with six athletes and is now down to only three,” the posting said.

At last update on Sunday, Ronny Roessler of Germany was in first, 489 km in the run, Hill was second at 430 km and Tsai Ming-Yi of Taiwan was third at 146 km.

“Shanda has genuinely found her rhythm,” the posting said. “She is in excellent shape to complete this incredible challenge despite injuries and the associated pain.”

Over a 24 hour period, Hill, who was named the Tim Hortons North Okanagan athlete of the year in 2020, ran 81 kms, stepping up her game as she gets closer to the finish line.

“She still has plenty of determination left in her,” the social media post went on to say.

Her Facebook page says once Hill completes her third Double Deca, the accomplishment could earn her the title as “the most badass woman on the planet.”

According to the race’s website, the running event is held on a 2 km circuit which is closed to traffic and 100 per cent flat.