The Faces of the HSBC Triathlon Series - Kent Parkinson

If you have experienced bike troubles or forgotten a piece of equipment at one of the HSBC Triathlon Series races, chances are Kent Parkinson has come to your rescue.

Since 2002, Kent has been a friendly and familiar face to the series, participating or volunteering at virtually every race. Bright and early on race morning, you can often spot him performing body marking duties (you don’t have us fooled Kent, we know you are scouting out the ladies) and then racing later that day.

Then there are countless incidents of Kent lending fellow athletes helmets, wheels, and even bikes. Sacrificing has own race so that someone else could enjoy the sport that he loves so much.

“At Borden this year, a mildly confused looking first timer asked for help. I found her a spot on the racks, looked at the bike she had and asked her if she would like to use something better for the day. I had the best day watching the expression on her face, Kent recalls. “Just before race start someone needed a helmet so I loaned them mine, I pumped a few tires and did some mechanical work on a few bikes for good measure. I think I loaned out my sunglasses for that race too.

The thirty-eight year old Hamilton resident, now entering his 23rd year in the sport, has raced at various distances, but chooses to concentrate his efforts on the HSBC GT 12.9 series (a series he named in a contest).

“I like the speed, lack of suffering for long periods of time, and I have a short attention span, he confessed “They say you aren't a triathlete unless you do an Ironman but I don't know that I have the drive for one. It’ a huge commitment both in terms of money and time. I will do one some day just to say I have but not anytime soon.

By the way, the next time you are at a Multisport Canada race, be aware that Kent made those nifty racks that you will put your bike on.

“I mulled over a few designs and came up with something we thought would work. Two months later we had all 200 of them in three sizes (men, women, and kids). I did them all myself from beginning to end.

Kent claims to be “anti-tri in terms of his training regimen and super social attitude but his actions certainly prove otherwise. We should all be so “anti-tri because this sport will be much better for it.