Above: Bitterroot Triathalon Co-executive Director Matt Guzik does some hill training east of Hamilton Wednesday afternoon. Area triathletes have been doing their best to keep up on training over the cold, snowy winter months in anticipation of the spring’s events. The 10th Annual Griz Triathlon takes place April 12 in Missoula. WILL MOSS n Ravalli Republic

With the 10th annual Missoula Griz Triathlon a few short months away, many athletes are gearing up for April 12, when their winter workouts will be put to the test. Classified as a triathlon sprint-distance, the race demands a 1,000-yard swim in the University of Montana Olympic-size grizzly pool, a 5K run on the Kim Williams Trail and a 20-kilometer bike ride on U.S. 200.

“It’s kind of like the race that asks, ‘what have you been doing all winter?’,” said Antara Croft, owner of Hamilton’s recent business addition, Antara Sports. “There’s really a great, phenomenal group of people that seemed to have gravitated toward each other, if not for comrades, but for like-minded healthy attitudes.”

Croft helped contribute to a healthy attitude by opening her sports clothing store in November, after completing six triathlons and a half-marathon and not being able to find specific fitness clothes.

Croft hosts an early morning Saturday run n the “weekend warriors” and even offers a healthy breakfast and coffee afterwards.

“The run keeps growing, with more and more people every weekend,” she said. “It’s just fun getting everyone together at all fitness levels. Some people run three to five miles, while others run more than 10.”

Running is a large factor when preparing for any race, and the Griz Triathlon demands a 5K run on Missoula’s Kim Williams Trail. Giles Thelen has been organizing the event for the past four years and said the race always draws a strong Bitterroot contingent.

“There’s always been a strong crew from the Hamilton area,” Thelen said. “There’s a pack of serious athletes down there that are long time entries in the race.”

Thelen said while the race draws people from all over the northwest, out of 400 slots, 374 are filled with Montanans.

“It’s a great community race to do and even better for first timers,” he said. “More than 55 percent are female and 35 percent of the entries are doing their first triathlon.”

This year, entries for the race filled in 19 days, a time period that has gotten shorter over the years, Thelen said.

“No doubt the popularity has grown and more and more people seem to sign up each year,” he said. “This year, we’re going to have local musicians playing on the course, including a guy playing the guitar at the top of the hill, on the run.”

While there’s a long list of experienced and new athletes currently in training, more than 20 Bitterrooters are signed up for the Griz race and are hitting the gym.

Matt Guzik, local athlete-supreme, has completed 52 marathons and is currently training for the Griz and an upcoming marathon in New Zealand.

“It’s addictive,” Guzik said. “The first one, you generally do it for yourself and the rest are to see if you can beat yourself. I’m training four to five days a week, swimming 2 to 3 days and combining spin and yoga class, it’s fun because there’s a great group of people down here that’s developed over the past few years.”

Guzik said because the recent weather can affect outside training, he travels to Missoula to practice race transitions and swim laps in the Grizzly pool with fellow athletes.

For those sticking to swim practice in the early winter hours, Canyons offers a master’s training program that’s designed for triathlon training.

Barbara Jackson, an ex-Olympic swimmer herself, has been spearheading the swimming section of Canyons training program for the past three years.

“Some have a hard time getting up and others are really dedicated,” Jackson said. “It’s neat to see the progression and dedication of everyone willing to give it a shot.”

Greg Bremer is one who doesn’t mind the early 6 a.m. practice in preparation for the Griz.

“It’s not too bad,” Bremer said. “I started this just to get in shape and found a really great group of people that’s made gearing up for fitness a good time. It’s good to start out gradually and built you fitness level, then add.”

Bremer said the closer the race date, the more workouts.

“This will be my first triathlon, but I think it will be a good one.”

It’s also a number one triathlon for France native Claire Checruoun, a scientist for Rocky Mountain Laboratories.

“Back in France, working out at a gym can be very expensive,” Checruoun said. “It’s the first time I’ve ever really done anything like this, but everyone is really so friendly and supportive. I hate running, so I find swimming and spinning the easiest.”

Checruoun said if April’s Griz race goes well, she may consider the Bitterroot Triathlon this summer.

Steve Giedon, Darby High track and field coach and teacher is also preparing for the Griz race and said the local camaraderie among fitness enthusiasts is all part of the fun.

“What’s neat about the group that’s been developing over the past few years, is that it makes training fun because you’ve got a lot of people around that share a common niche.”

Giedon said everyone comes from different athletic backgrounds, something that helps everyone in the long run.

“From biking to swimming, to lifting, everyone has a speciality they can help with, so it really adds a lot to the different fitness dynamics. It’s a really a good time.”

With the new snow, winter training in Montana means persevering through the sleet and ice n something that only can take the Bitterroot’s local athletes that much closer the finish line.

Reporter Jenny Harris can be reached at 363-3300 or at jharris@ravallirepublic.com

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