Surrey’s Nathan Killam has a plan he hopes will bring him double the success in the Multisport World Championships.
Killam, among the elite athletes on Team Canada, is taking on the Cross Triathlon Championship (1.5-kilometre swim, 31-km bike and eight-km run) Wednesday morning, then will do the Long Course Championship (3-km swim, 120-km bike and 3-km run) on Sunday.
“I think it will be challenging because they are both triathlons, but they are different disciplines,” said Killam, who competed in Challenge Penticton last month. “Mountain biking is completely different than long distance bike. The cross triathlon I think can help set me up for a good long distance race, as a good kick in the pants.”
Killam recently spent six days in Kamloops for a family vacation that included mountain bike training and trail riding. He and his coach have come up with a plan that includes getting enough rest and maintaining his body. He will be fresh and have “a lot of pop in my legs.”
“I think I can perform to my best potential at both races,” said Killam, who grew up in Whalley.
After competing in the Long Course World Championship in Oklahoma City last year, this will be Killam’s second Long Course World Championship event. Oklahoma City didn’t go well as he was dealing with an over active thyroid, which hit him hard. The condition comes with a variety of symptoms including weakness and increased body temperature, the latter isn’t conducive when racing in hot conditions. That is behind him now. Killam is now seeking redemption after placing fourth in last year’s Challenge Penticton Long Course. He finished in five hours 44 minutes and 19 seconds, compared to champion Jeff Symonds’ 5:32:39.
Killam, a former heavy duty mechanic turned firefighter, is honoured to race while wearing the Canadian kit.
“When you go to these world championships, as a representative of your country, it kind of gives you a little bit more to think about,” said Killam. “You are trying to put on a good performance as well as be a positive role model for your country so people think highly of your country.”
Killam has a good feeling in being selected with other top Canadian athletes to face the best in the world.
“It gives you a different atmosphere when you are racing,” said Killam, who became a father in the summer. “You want to bring everything you can to this race.”
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