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Canada’s Top 5 Triathletes for June

What better day than Canada Day to celebrate some outstanding Canadian performances? June delivered world-class racing, breakthrough moments, and one result that deserves far more attention than it received. Here are Fitspeek’s Top 5 Canadian triathletes for the month.

1.

Tyler Mislawchuk Last month’s number five is this month’s number one — and it’s not hard to see why. It comes down to performance, consistency, and a bit of outright domination. Earlier in the season, he helped Canada snag a bronze in the mixed relay at the World Cup stop in China. June pushed things even further: Mislawchuk grabbed another win, this time at the WTS race in Huatulco, Mexico. He’s sitting 16th in the World Triathlon rankings and has a packed July ahead — Hamburg first, then back on home soil for Edmonton the following week.

2.

Paula Findlay Perhaps the biggest surprise with our list for May was Paula Findlay wasn’t on it — after all, she only managed a DNF at Oceanside 70.3 and second at 70.3 Chattanooga. Things are back to normal now with an inevitable win. The deed was done at the North American 70.3 Championships in Happy Valley, Pennsylvania, when she took control on the bike and never looked back, winning by more than three minutes. Perhaps even more exciting than this win (her 4th North American title) is her debut at the Ironman distance later this month at Lake Placid.

3.

Nicolas Gilbert

You may not know his name yet, but you probably should. The Quebec native delivered one of the most dominant performances by a Canadian this season, winning Challenge Québec in 7:51:10 — an astonishing 28 minutes ahead of second place. Even more impressive, it was his full-distance debut after quietly building a solid résumé at the 70.3 distance. And he did it just one week after breaking four hours at IRONMAN 70.3 Mont‑Tremblant. And he did it while working full time as an auditor for the province of Quebec. If June had a performance that made everyone take notice, this was it.

4.

Beatrice Filion just 19 and hailing from St‑Jean‑sur‑Richelieu, Québec, announced herself in a big way with a silver medal at the Americas Triathlon Cup Montréal — her first international podium. She stopped the clock in 58:47, only three seconds behind American Annie Fuller, racing with the poise of someone far more seasoned. And how did she celebrate the biggest result of her young career? By grabbing her medal, heading straight out of the venue, and making it to her sister’s wedding. A breakout performance, a family dash, and a new Canadian talent officially on the rise.

5. Charles Paquet

Only the second athlete to carry over on the list from last month, Charles Paquet continues to prove that his breakthrough season is no fluke. After earning the first WTCS podium of his career earlier this year, the Quebecer backed it up with a fifth‑place finish at WTCS Alghero, remaining in the hunt with the world’s best until the closing stages of the run. He followed that with another solid performance at WTCS Quiberon, cementing his status as Canada’s top male on the World Triathlon Championship Series circuit. At this point, top‑five finishes are becoming the expectation, not the exception.

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Fitspeek 238: Hummingbird Collective

Triathlon in Western Canada has become a lot more interesting thanks to my next guest! Jamie Parker is the owner of the Hummingbird Collective, a triathlon group out of the Lower Mainland.

In addition to supporting a roster of elite triathletes (such as Luke Tasker, Maia Watson, and Oliver Half winner Ryan Seaman) Hummingbird helps out age-groupers with advice on equipment, training, and race execution on their website. Hummingbird also is working hard to build bridges within the multisport community in Vancouver and across the province.

Hear more on what this new flock is doing on the provincial tri scene and what’s it in for you, by pressing play below.

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Canada’s Top 5 Triathletes for May

It’s that time of year when the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, and Toronto Maple Leafs are all polishing their short game, while the Montreal Canadiens are still smarting from a beatdown courtesy of the Carolina Hurricanes.

While most of us are still wondering if Sylvan Lake is finally warm enough for a wetsuit dip, our top racers are already firing on all cylinders around the world.

And it’s not just the usual suspects you’ll notice here. Our Top 5 list pulls from all distances of triathlon, and for good reason: our short-course racers are killing it on the world stage. These folks aren’t easing into spring; they’re already rolling hard and putting their stamp on the season before the ice even comes off Waskesiu.

Canada’s Top 5 Triathletes for May

It’s that time of year when the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, and Toronto Maple Leafs are all polishing their short game, while the Montreal Canadiens are still smarting from a beatdown courtesy of the Carolina Hurricanes.

While most of us are still wondering if Sylvan Lake is finally warm enough for a wetsuit dip, our top racers are already firing on all cylinders around the world.

And it’s not just the usual suspects you’ll notice here. Our Top 5 list pulls from all distances of triathlon, and for good reason: our short-course racers are killing it on the world stage. These folks aren’t easing into spring; they’re already rolling hard and putting their stamp on the season before the ice even comes off Waskesiu.

1. Charles Paquet

Charles Paquet has emerged as one of Canada’s biggest triathlon success stories of 2026. The 29-year-old from Sept-Îles, Quebec delivered the breakthrough performance of his career this spring with a bronze medal at WTCS Samarkand, becoming just the second Canadian man ever to reach a World Triathlon Championship Series podium.

Paquet has continued to build momentum with a recent fifth-place finish at the WTCS event in Alghero. Known for his gritty run finishes and aggressive racing style, he has quickly become one of the key faces of Canadian short-course triathlon in 2026.

2. Sophia Howell

Sophia Howell has continued her steady rise through 2026, building on a breakthrough 2025 season that included her first World Triathlon Cup podium with bronze in San Pedro de la Paz.

The 23-year-old from Airdrie, Alberta has shown consistent form on the international circuit this year, highlighted by a strong contribution to Canada’s bronze-medal performance in the mixed relay in Chengdu, China, alongside Tyler Mislawchuk, Charles Paquet, and Martin Sobey.

Known for her steady, composed racing across draft-legal formats, she continues to establish herself as a key part of Canada’s developing elite women’s program.

3. Brock Hoel

If you have never heard of Brock Hoel before don’t feel bad because you certainly will in 2026. The hottest long-course triathlon to come out of the Okanagan since Jeff Symonds Hoel has already put his name in the record books by posting the fastest Ironman time ever by a Canadian. He did that at Ironman Texas, where he finished fifth in 7:29:56 against a deep international field.

The Prince George-born athlete has transitioned steadily from a successful short-course and World Triathlon background into Ironman racing, carrying the speed and race craft developed through Canada’s national pathway into the full-distance ranks.

A former Canadian junior standout and Olympic pathway athlete, Hoel was long considered part of the country’s elite development system before shifting his focus toward long-course racing. His Texas result, including a 2:39 marathon off the bike, marked a significant step forward and signalled his potential as a future contender.

4. Tamara Jewett

Tamara Jewett was on our Top 5 list of Canadian triathletes in 2025, and it looks like she is well on her way to returning.

The Toronto-born, Victoria-based athlete opened her year with a victory at Challenge Wanaka Half in New Zealand before following it up with a fourth-place finish at Ironman New Zealand and a podium performance at Ironman 70.3 Geelong against a stacked professional field.

Known as one of the fastest female runners ever (up there with Erin Baker!) Jewett has also maintained a strong presence within the endurance sports community through her thoughtful training insights and growing social media profile. Her combination of elite performances, consistency, and relatability has made her one of the most influential Canadian triathletes of 2026 so far.

5. Tyler Mislawchuk

Tyler Mislawchuk reminded Canadian triathlon fans this spring that he remains one of the country’s most accomplished and relevant athletes.

The Manitoba native opened his 2026 campaign with a bronze medal at the World Triathlon Cup in Chengdu before helping Canada capture bronze in the mixed relay the following day. He followed that up with a solid showing at WTCS Alghero this past weekend.

A three-time Olympian, one of the most recognizable personalities in Canadian triathlon, and a guy who is not afraid to dabble in long-course racing, Mislawchuk combines elite-level results with a strong social media presence and remains a key figure on Canada’s international triathlon scene.

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Fitspeek 237: Penticton Pounders – Neil MacDonald

What a month for running — a new world record, big numbers at the Sun Run and Vancouver Marathon, and huge turnouts here in the Okanagan. Running is cool again!

One of the key voices in Penticton’s running community is Neil MacDonald — an accomplished long‑distance runner, group leader with the Penticton Pounders, and owner of Peach City Runners.

On this episode, we sit down with Neil MacDonald of the Penticton Pounders to get his take on the marathon record + the surge in local running enthusiasm.

We also explore the business side of the sport — unpacking how Peach City Runners continues to thrive as an independent shop in a landscape dominated by big‑box chains + online retailers.

30 minutes of positive vibes + local insight, with the nicest guy in the sport – click below.

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Fitspeek 236: Tri-2 Survive with Adam Vitkay

This week on the show we introduce you to Mission’s Adam Vitkay. He’s an autobody guy by day, an endurance sports athlete by night (+ weekend), and a dad 24/7.

What makes Adam’s story interesting — and inspirational — is who he isn’t. He’s not a natural-born, groomed triathlete. He’s a blue-collar guy, through and through. No swim club background. No polished athletic résumé.

What he did have was a love of riding his bike as a kid. And when life as a sedentary middle-aged man stopped working for him, he made a decision: get back in shape. He started piling on the miles, one ride at a time.

Before long, he was good enough to take on the Ride to Survive — an epic fundraising journey from Kelowna to Delta.

After finding success on the bike, Adam was ready for a new challenge and discovered triathlon through friends. His first attempt didn’t go to plan — the swim got the better of him — but he put in the work, logging serious time in the water.

At Cultus Lake, he proved to himself, his friends, and his family that perseverance pays off.

Now he’s taking it even further. Adam has created his own cancer fundraiser, Tri 2 Survive — a 5K swim, 200K bike, and 45K run, set for Sunday, August 22. Hit the play button below to hear Adam’s story and how you can contribute to the cause.

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Fitspeek 235: Fitspeek travels to Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan’s sporting universe is known for winter sports like curling + hockey but it also has a vibrant triathlon scene. This week on the show we travel east to find out about some of the province’s up + coming athletes.

From Lloydminster we have grade 8 student Kale Grasby. Even though he’s our youngest Fitspeek guest ever, he’s got a solid background as both a triathlete and a hockey referee.

From Shellbrook, we have Marcail Philip. With an amazing cardio engine developed from years of cross-country skiing, Marcail is excelling on the bike and winning races.

The elder spokesperson of the trio has an interesting story. Sam Wauer participated as a youth in the Kids of Steel program. 2 decades later he is back in the sport and headed to Europe to represent Canada at 2 world championship events.

Hear how these athletes got into the sport, what they are racing in 2026, and what their special powers are by clicking below.

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Fitspeek 234: Perfecta-Trifecta. Danielle Fauteux, Deb Eckhouse, Tamara Jewett

What could be more fun than having one of Canada’s top long-course triathletes on a podcast? Well, how about 3 of them?

Danielle Fauteux had an ambitious end to her season last year with some stellar performances at the Ironman distance, not only qualifying for the world championships but also going under 9 hours in Arizona.

In what could be labelled as a rebuilding year, Deb Eckhouse overcame (mostly) a mystery illness and a serious bike crash. She’s recovered and racing again!

And although it’s only April, Tamara Jewett has kicked off her season with a 3rd at Ironman New Zealand and a 4th at 70.3 Geelong, Australia. Both results come from world-class run performances.

On the show, we start with reviews of their 2025 seasons + previews of the upcoming year. After that, we geek out on race day nutrition. In her half-iron event in Australia Tamara consumed an average of 86g of carbs / hour. I wanted to know how her stomach responded to that load. She told us! We also get the inside scoop on what + how much Deb and Danielle take in. Most of us could learn from that!

And speaking of learning, back in the days of Lisa Bentley and Lori Bowden, social media wasn’t part of the job description. Now it very much is. While it helps athletes tell their story and build their brand, it also takes time — something today’s pros know all too well. In this episode, we chat about the role social media plays in their careers, the sponsors helping them get to the start line, and plenty more. Just over 30 minutes with 3 of Canada’s fastest long-course women is only a click away.

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Fitspeek 233: Putting people ahead of podiums.

Clint Lien is back on Fitspeek — tri-guru, writer for Triathlon Magazine Canada, and one of the forces behind the 94 Forward Triathlon Group in Victoria.

We start the episode on a somber note: the tragic passing of Canadian athlete Hannah Henry in Arizona. Clint shares what he knew of Hannah, the GoFundMe to support her, and reflects on the risks of training on the road.

From there, the conversation shifts to 94 Forward and the Victoria triathlon scene. Clint talks about the program’s history, who it’s for, and what it takes to thrive as a young Canadian triathlete. Along the way, he drops a few gems of philosophy:

  • “What you will do, you will get good at — if you do it enough.”
  • And his signature hardcore perspective on sports nutrition: he’d rather cut off a finger than pay five bucks for a gel.

Finally, we look ahead to 2026. Clint shares his excitement for the upcoming multisport season, what’s changed (and what hasn’t) in Canadian triathlon, and a peek at his personal adventures.

If you want unfiltered insight, laughs, and practical advice for athletes, this episode is for you. Click below to hear our conversation.

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Triathlon 2026: A Western Canadian Perspective

With triathlon season on the horizon, you’re probably signing up for races and renewing your provincial membership.

But where does that money actually go?

In Fitspeek 232, we sit down with triathlon directors Allan Prazsky (BC), Sebastian Porten (Alberta), and Dr. Yvonne Cafik (Saskatchewan) to talk race sanctioning, membership trends, participation numbers, and the real work happening behind the scenes to grow the sport in Western Canada.

In addition to nerding out on numbers, we talk frankly about the future of our sport. In light of the recent death of Canadian triathlete Hannah Henry, the tragedy at the Penticton Fondo, and the cancellation of the Elk Lake Triathlon, the elephant in the room is hard to ignore: the risks of riding on open roads — and the rising costs required to keep our events safe. Whether you are a race director, an active participant, or an interested observer, this is a podcast worth hearing. Click below.

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Fitspeek 231: Richie Sheldon & Ogopogo Extreme Tri

You know that recent trend of Ironman’s to make courses easier and getting that M-Dot tattoo as easy as ordering a McHappy Meal? Well, Penticton’s Richie Sheldon will have none of that!

Richie is originally from the UK and came to Canada to make his fortune in finance in Vancouver. After some time in the corporate world, he ditched the suit, stress and rain and traded it in for Okanagan sunshine and a coach’s hat – all while living the life of tri!

On the podcast this week, we chat with Richie about his adventures at sea as a sailor, his hilarious debut as a half-iron guy, and of course details on the 2027 debut of the Ogopogo Extreme.

Hear it now by pressing play.

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