File Photo of the Junkyard Dogs Bike Club award haul from November 2011

Triathletes from across Manitoba will converge on the PCU Centre for a full day event of training and awareness.  Triathlon Manitoba, in conjunction with the Portage Junkyard Dogs bike club is hosting the event to help triathletes prepare and qualify for the Manitoba Summer Games this year in Swan Valley.

Triathlons consist of three elements; swimming, running, and cycling with the Shindleman Aquatic Centre to be used for the swimming portion and the walking track for running.  Junkyard Dogs Bike Club President Bob Guenther says the provincial and development Triathlon team will be training at the PCU Centre as well as the coach of the Manitoba provincial cycling team to provide his expertise for a spin class early this morning.

Guenther says the Junkyard Dogs Bike Club will also be holding a membership drive during the spin class where they try to encourage new members to join.  He adds the club is committed to cycling at any level the rider may be at stressing the Junkyard Dogs is for absolutely anyone at any age.  Organizer and Junkyard Dogs member Chris Kitchen says they will be conducting time trials for the Manitoba Summer Games for athletes age 12-15 years for swimming and running.  Kitchen says most of the time the event is held in Winnipeg as it's a natural choice because of the city's central location.  He adds not only are the kids from Portage la Prairie excited, but also kids from Eastman and Westman areas.  He says it's a nice change of pace to have the event outside the large urban centre.

Kitchen adds the PCU Centre is an excellent venue for an event like this.  He says they plan to show how all the amenities the PCU Centre can be used for an alternative sporting exhibition.  Kitchen says they are excited to have the opportunity to promote the sport of cycling in the province Manitoba.  All the fun and excitement begins today starting at 8am in different areas of the PCU Centre.