While Drumheller’s DinoFest conjures up images of laughter, bouncy houses, giant barbecued turkey drumsticks and a dino-sized movie feature, for some it means personal challenge, sweat, and discipline.
    These are the athletes who are taking on the third annual DinoFest Triathlon. The event goes at 9 a.m. on June 14 to kick off DinoFest.
    Morgan Syvertsen has taken lead on fostering the growth of the event and says in its third year, interest continues to grow.
    “It already has as many signed up as we had last year so it is requiring some changes,” said Syvertsen, adding this year they are seeing registrations from out of town.
    The event includes a sprint course with a 750-metre swim, a 20-kilometre cycle and the 5-kilometre run.  There is also an Olympic distance with a 1,500- metre swim, a 40 kilometre cycle and a 10 kilometre run.  
    Racers can take on the course as an individual or as part of a team.
    Because of the greater numbers, they are moving the swim portion of the contest indoors to accommodate more swimmers and still start at the same time. Other small additions include larger bike racks and transition areas.
    The DinoFest people are accommodating our growth,” he said.
    Syvertsen says it has been a slow evolution to build the event at its own pace.  He says there is potential to make it a premier event.
    “If we were to advertise with some of the other triathlon clubs around Southern Alberta, we could have a really big race, but we are not ready to do that,” said Syvertsen. “This is going to be the next step up because we are doing race numbers and a more organized and controlled swim. This will be a good test to see if we can pull it off with double the numbers, then we can think about more next year.”
    “I would be happy to see 50 this year, that would be double of last year,” he said.
    For more information or to register, e-mail drumhellertriathalon@gmail.com or call 403-823-7986.

    A Morrin area youth is among the top 4-H'ers in the province being selected into the Premier’s Group.
    Lowell Nelson is a member of the Rumsey 4-H Beef Club. He was one of 14 youth selected to be a 4-H Ambassador. As a member of this prestigious group, his role is to promote 4-H and youth involvement in Alberta. Selections were in Olds.
    “As the longest-running youth organization in our province, 4-H is part of our province’s strong agricultural foundation and ensures our rich history and success continues by helping shape our future rural leaders. Congratulations to Jess (Verstappen, Premier's Award winner) and the 2014 Ambassadors for their exemplary leadership and commitment to 4-H and their communities,” said Veryln Olson, Minister, Agriculture and Rural Development.
    Lowell’s mother Melanie explains selections are the top provincial event where 98 senior members of 4-H member are vying for the Premier’s Award. Lowell was selected to the Premier’s Group and from there, they are further tested to select the recipient for the Premier’s Award. This year it was Jess Verstappen of High Prairie.
    Lowell is an active member of 4-H and a couple of years ago was a participant of a 4-H exchange the district undertook with an Ontario Club. He is also an active curler and one of the local youth working towards his Duke of Edinburgh award. He has attended a number of leadership program s and even worked as a camp councillor.
    For his efforts, he was selected to attend the California 4-H Leadership Conference in Santa Cruz, California. This program will focus on developing leadership skills and discussing current issues that affect youth. He will be there August 14-17.
    In 2013 Michele Hoover, also of the Drumheller District, was selected for the Premier’s Award.