Trail triathlete Jackson Konkin had another podium finish, capturing second place at the International Triathlon Union (ITU) race in Edmonton on Saturday.
At 15, Konkin competed in the youth elite category where he was runner up to Quebec athlete Filip Mainville, who had finished second, just in front of Konkin, at the U15 Canadian Triathlon championship in Magog, Que. in July.
Konkin had another great swim, and led out of the water, taking the first stage of triathlon in 4:01.5. With Mainville in hot pursuit, the two pedaled away from the pack and were neck-and-neck until Konkin ran into technical difficulties during the bike-to-run transition.
“Jackson had a slight technical problem getting off the bike when his shoe came unclipped and he had to turn around and run back to pick it up to avoid getting a penalty.” said his father and coach Mike Konkin in an email.
Mainville would take advantage of the mishap, and take a lead that Konkin couldn’t overcome. The J. L. Crowe student finished just 13 seconds behind the Quebec triathlete who won in a time of 30:33.1. Canmore’s Neo Gleason took third.
“Overall it was a great result and experience for him (Jackson) to race on the same course as the world’s best, who lined up the following day for their last stop before the World Championship in Chicago in two weeks,” said Mike.
The race was a great finish to an incredible season for Jackson who placed third at the U15 Nationals, as well as winning the Apple Triathlon in Kelowna, and numerous top finishes in triathlons, open water swims and Grand Fondos across B.C. this summer.
In the elite categories Richard Murray, of South Africa, took gold with a time of 53:19 on Sunday, Spain’s Javier Gomez wasn’t far behind at 53:23, while Mario Mola claimed the bronze medal in 53:34.
Vicky Holland of Great Britain won gold in women’s elite in 58:55, while Flora Duffy of Bermuda was second and Aussie Gillian Backhouse third.
The top Canadians were Anderw Yorke who placed 8th in 53:49 and women’s elite Kirsten Sweetland coming in 10th in 59:56.