Runners in the running for a Sport PEI award

A number of athletes, coaches & administrators will be recognized on April 6 at the Sport PEI annual awards banquet, to be held at the Rodd Royalty in Charlottetown.

Tickets for the banquet priced $30, are available from Sport PEI, by calling 368-4547.

Emcees for the evening will be JoAnne Holden, and Matt Rainnie, host of CBC’s Island Morning show.

Among this year's nominees are a few Island runners...

In the Paperflow Intercollegiate Female Athlete of the Year category, Susan Sobey, Track & Field athlete from Dalhousie University is a finalist.

Susan Sobey

Searletown’s Susan Sobey of Dalhousie reached her fifth straight CIS championship in 2010, concluding a varsity career which has seen the track athlete win countless AUS medals and awards.

The team captain, Susan led the Tigers to its 21^st conference track title by winning four medals – gold in the 60m sprint and 4x200m relay, and silver in the 4x400m and long jump. For her efforts she was named an AUS all-star.

At the CIS championships in Windsor, Susan showed she was one of the fastest in the country, finishing in 5^th place, equalling her best-ever finish while setting a new provincial indoor record of 7.61 seconds, lowering her own mark of 7.65 seconds set in 2007.

A graduate of the kinesiology program, Susan also earned her third Academic all-Canadian selection.

In the Masters Category, both Scott Clark and Paul Dalton are finalists, both being recognized for their distance running and triathlon events.

Scott Clark

Linkletter’s Scott Clark pushed himself hard in 2010, achieving outstanding results in some of North America’s toughest races.

In October, 47-year old Scott cut through the wind and rain to claim his second BMO Nesbitt Burns Island Marathon title in 2:44:42, rounding off a successful season which saw him win the OCALA marathon in Florida, finish 3^rd in the Bluenose International in Nova Scotia, and finish 10^th in his masters category in the prestigious Boston marathon, crossing the line 287^th overall and leading the Island runners.

In addition to his impressive running, Scott turned to triathlon for an additional challenge, and his choice was the tough Ironman event in the Gulf of Mexico.

Scott finished the race – which consisted of 3.8km open swim, 180km bike ride and 42.2km run, with no break – in a time of 10 hours, 36 minutes and 4 seconds, where he was 274^th overall in a field of 2700 from 48 countries.


Paul Dalton

St. Edward’s Paul Dalton loves the endurance events, and there is no greater sporting test on the planet than the Ultraman, a three-day, 320 mile challenge which consists of a 6.2 mile swim, 261.4 mile bike ride, and a 52.4 mile ultra-marathon run.

52-year old Paul competed in two of these events in 2010. At the Canadian event in BC in July, which is by invitation only, he recorded a time 33 hours, 17 minutes and 15 seconds, for 29^th in the 39 person field.

Three weeks later Paul competed in the Canadian Ironman Triathlon, approximately half an Ultraman, which he finished in 12 hours 54 minutes, before embarking on his greatest challenge, the World Ultraman in Hawaii.

Again he finished the test in just over 33 hours, in the process becoming one of only 495 athletes to complete the race in its 26-year history, and one of only a handful to do the Canadian, and world Ultraman, in the same year.

As an aside, Paul also ran the Boston Marathon in a time good enough to qualify for the 2011 race, showing that he really is the King of Endurance.

In the Male Varsity Athlete Category, Anthony Bernard, a runner and jumper.

Anthony Bernard

The co-captain of the Dalhousie track and field team, Alberton’s Bernard has had a stellar varsity career, one which concluded in 2010 with a five medal haul at the AUS championships.

An outstanding jumper, Anthony set a new Atlantic indoor record at the championships with a leap of 7.07m in the long jump, giving him his 4^th consecutive conference title, and he also won gold in the triple jump, 4x200m and 4x400m relays, and was second in the 300m.

Anthony’s performance gave the Tigers the AUS title and himself conference all-star honours, and he enjoyed a fine competition at the CIS championships in Windsor, Ontario, finishing the long-jump in 5^th place.

Graduating from kinesiology and currently enrolled in the masters of science physiotherapy program, Anthony was also honoured with his fourth Academic all-Canadian award.

In the Senior Male Athlete category, Jared Connaughton is recognized for his 100m & 200m placings on the International stage.

Jared Connaughton

New Haven’s Jared Connaughton continues to run fast, and he enjoyed another fine season in 2010, one which saw him win another national title and reach the 200m final at the Commonwealth Games.

The first half of Jared’s year saw him compete at some prestigious international meets, highlights being a 2^nd place at the Osaka Grand Prix, and two wins, and five top-five finishes, in the European Diamond League.

At the nationals in Toronto, Jared re-claimed his 200m title and finished 2^nd in the 100m, confirming his selection for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

In India, Jared again had a fine championship, even though there was disappointment in his 4^th place in the 200m final, not helped by a poor lane placing despite running fast heat and semi-final times.

All told it was still a fine year for Connaughton, who ran Canada’s fastest 200m in 2010 in 20.60s, and is setting himself up nicely for a huge year as the London Olympics approach.

2011-04-05

Awards banquet set this Wednesday, April 6th

The province’s outstanding performers will be recognized this Wednesday evening as Sport PEI hosts its annual awards banquet, honouring those athletes, coaches, officials and administrators who enjoyed success in 2010.

In addition to the 11 awards categories that have been highlighted in the local media over the past month, Sport PEI will also be presenting the Premier’s Award for Sports Organization of the Year, the President’s Award for Long-time Contribution to Island Sport, the Lieutenent Governor’s Award for Island Athlete of the Year, and for only the 10^th time in 37 years, the Bill Halpenny Award for Outstanding International Performance will be presented.

The banquet will begin at 6:45pm at the Rodd Royalty in Charlottetown, and tickets for the evening have now sold out. Emcees for the event are Jo-anne Holden and Matt Rainnie.

The full list of finalists is as follows:

ADL Administrator of the Year – Nancy Connolly (Tennis), Shirley Lank (Curling), Mary Ellen McInnis (Figure Skating)

SCORE Team of the Year – Churchill Arm’s Men’s Soccer, Kathy O’Rourke Curling Rink, Robert Campbell Curling Rink

Masters Award – Scott Clark (Distance Running/Triathlon), Paul Dalton (Triathlon/Ultraman), Tom Nicholls (Powerlifting)

Coach of the Year – John Diamond (Soccer), Al Ledgerwood (Curling), Mike Redmond (Soccer)

Paperflow Intercollegiate Male Athlete – Anthony Bernard (Athletics), Kurt McCormack (Athletics), Colby Pridham (Hockey)

Paperflow Intercollegiate Female Athlete – Sarah MacAulay (Field Hockey), Tessa Roche (Soccer), Susan Sobey (Athletics)

PEI Mutual Official of the Year – Gardiner MacNeill (Swimming), Roy Main (Tennis), Cliff Poirier (Curling)

Junior Male Athlete of the Year – Kevin Cudmore (Powerlifting), Matthieu D’Amour (Gymnastics), Brandon Gormley (Hockey)

Rodd Hotels and Resorts Junior Female Athlete of the Year – Paige Crowell (Swimming), Ryan Drum (Kickboxing), Lorena Ellis (Judo/Wrestling)

Senior Female Athlete of the Year – Katie Begley Baker (Field Hockey), Erin Carmody (Curling), Heather Moyse (Bobsleigh/Rugby)

Bell Aliant Senior Male Athlete of the Year – Mark Arendz (Paranordic Skiing), Scott Chandler (Gymnastics), Jared Connaughton (Athletics)

Congratulations to these and all the finalists!

• Finalists announced for Sport PEI Administrators Award
• Coaching finalists announced for April 6 sport awards
• Outstanding teams to be honoured at April 6 awards banquet
• Junior female athletes next to be recognized at awards banquet
• Awards banquet to recognize Island's best junior male athletes
• Masters athletes next to be recognized by Sport PEI
• College athletes to be recognized at awards banquet
• Male varsity athletes to be recognized next week at banquet
• Officials in the spotlight at awards banquet
• Senior male athletes enjoy incredible year
• PEI's best female athletes to be recognized at banquet
• Awards banquet set this Wednesday, April 6th

http://www.journalpioneer.com/Sports/2010-12-08/article-2028679/P.E.I.-Ultraman-athlete-is-in-select-company/1

P.E.I. Ultraman athlete is in select company

Submitted photo

Paul Dalton, third from right, celebrates with his support crew seconds after finishing the Ultraman world championship in Hawaii on Nov. 28.

Published on December 8th, 2010

Jason Simmonds

ST. EDWARD - Paul Dalton had this to say after a 30-kilometre bike ride and a seven-kilometre run on Sunday, "I felt really good!"

And why shouldn't he?

Compared to what he was doing just a week earlier, that's a leisurely jog.

Upon crossing the finish line of the Ultraman world championship triathlon in Hawaii on Nov. 28, Dalton became one of only 495 athletes in the world to complete the demanding race in the event's 26-year history. He is also one of only 39 athletes from around the world to complete both the Ultraman Canada race and the Hawaiian race, and one of only a handful to complete both Ultraman races in the same year.

"More people have climbed Mount Everest than have run an Ultraman," said Dalton, admittedly proud of his accomplishment.

Despite getting caught in a current that left him churning in place for a while near the end of his 10-kilometre swim, Dalton, 52, said he was really satisfied with his swim time.

If not for his good swim, he said, he might not have had been able to complete Day 1 of the three-day race within the 12-hour cutoff. One participant, Dalton said, made the cutoff with just one second to spare.

The start of the bike race was so steep - 1,000 feet in three miles - that some bikers walked sections of it. It was a more gradual climb the rest of the way, but gale-force crosswinds kept things difficult and made biking dangerous.

"It took everything to keep from going over the edge or into traffic," Dalton said.

On a long descent, he found himself fighting against the bike all the way.

"More people have climbed Mount Everest than have run an Ultraman." - Paul Dalton

"You couldn't go over 40 kilometres (per hour)," he said, noting there was strong headwind and sharp corners.

His times were three hours 39 minutes 57 seconds (3:39:57) for the swim, and 7:56:41 for the bike. He made the cutoff with 23:32 to spare.

"It was just a hard day," assessed Dalton, adding he was still tired from that race heading into Day 2 of the competition and another 276-kilometre bike ride. At the end of it, Dalton needed help getting off his bike.

After two difficult days of biking, Dalton wasn't sure how he'd do in the double marathon run on Day 3, and surprised himself with a strong finish.

"I had a really good run," he acknowledged.

He was pleased to have his support crew cross the finish line with him, pointing out he would not have been able to do the race without their support and guidance.

Now back home and back to driving his school bus, Dalton said he will soon get back to serious training for next year's Boston Marathon and the Ironman Canada race. He wants to do another Ultraman race, but that will depend on resources. "Keep doing what I'm doing and focus more on the bike section," he said describing his game plan.

wbureau@journalpioneer.com

Paul's Ultraman World Championship

Day 1

Stage I – 6.2-mile (10 km) ocean swim from Kailua Bay to Keauhou Bay, followed by a 90-mile (145 km) cross-country bike ride from Keauhou Bay around the southern tip of the island via Route 11 to finish at Namakani Paio Park in the Volcanoes National Park. Vertical climbs total 7,600 feet.

Dalton Paul - 52 - M - 3:39:57 (Swim) - 7:56:41 (Bike) - 11:36:38 (Total)

Full Day 1 Results
Day 1 Race Report

Day 2

Stage II – 171.4-mi (276 km) bike ride, from Volcanoes National Park (Route 11) to Keaau, then turning east with a counter-clockwise loop through Kalapana, Kapoho and Pahoa, then on through the City of Hilo. From Hilo, the route continues north along the Hamakua Coast (Route 19) to Waimea, and over the Kohala Mountains via Route 250 to finish at the Kohala Village Inn on Hawi Road, just above its junction with Route 270. Vertical climbs total 8,600 feet.

Dalton Paul - 52 - M - 11:26:00 (Bike) 23:02:38 (2 Day Total)

Full Day 2 Results

Day 2 Race Report

Day 3

Stage III – 52.4-mile (84 km) double-marathon run from Hawi to Kawaihae (Route 270), then on to Kailua-Kona (via Route 19) and finishing on the beach at the Old Airport State Park.

Dalton Paul - 10:08:53 (Run) 33:11:31 (Event Total) 32 (Place)

Full Day 3 Results
Day 3 Race Report

Congratulations Paul!
unimaginable...

http://www.journalpioneer.com/Sports/2010-11-30/article-2006415/St.-Edwards-man-among-36-athletes-in-world-ultraman/1

St. Edwards man among 36 athletes in world ultraman

Eric McCarthy/Journal Pioneer

Paul Dalton

Published on November 30th, 2010

Eric McCarthy

HAWAII - Prince Edward Island's Paul Dalton started strong and finished strong in the three-day world ultraman championship, held in Hawaii during the United States Thanksgiving weekend Nov. 26 to 28.

Dalton had a very good swim, covering the 10-kilometre ocean swim in a time of 3:39.57 – 27th out of a field of 36 world-class athletes. That was just part of his Day 1 job, though. He still had to endure a 145-kilometre bike ride, completing the day in a combined time of 11:36:38 and a 33rd-place finish.

He was back on the bike Saturday, covering the 276 kilometres in 11:26:00, dropping to 34th place out of 35 starters.

Sunday, Dalton ran a double marathon in a time of 10:08.53 – the 26th fastest. That put him in 32nd place overall with a combined time of 33:11:31. His finish time was five minutes and 44 seconds faster than the numbers he put up in the Ultraman Canada race in British Columbia last July.

Paul at the Ultraman

A couple of shots of Paul in Hawaii by Josh Baker of Azulox Photography

Competitor Group Shot

the Canadians

More great photos from the Word Ultraman Championships
by Josh Baker HERE and by Gary Wang HERE

Another peek at the Ultraman can be found by following Jason Lester
by Live Tracking him HERE

The #ultramanlive Twitter feed is HERE
Follow the Live Updates of it HERE at RealEndurance.com

Today is Day 1 -

Stage I – 6.2-mile (10 km) ocean swim from Kailua Bay to Keauhou Bay, followed by a 90-mile (145 km) cross-country bike ride from Keauhou Bay around the southern tip of the island via Route 11 to finish at Namakani Paio Park in the Volcanoes National Park. Vertical climbs total 7,600 feet.

Paul Dalton enjoying the warm weather and good coffee at lava java

Paul Dalton enjoying the warm weather and good coffee at lava java #ultramanlive posted by @realendurance

http://yfrog.com/c8pefgj

Dalton leaves today for world ultraman ch'ships

http://www.journalpioneer.com/Sports/2010-11-16/article-1969894/Dalton-leaves-today-for-world-ultraman-chships/1

Dalton leaves today

for world ultraman ch'ships

Eric McCarthy/Journal Pioneer

Paul Dalton trains at the Mill River Aquaplex pool on Tuesday in preparation for the upcoming world ultraman championships in Hawaii.

ST. EDWARD - He logged about 1,000 kilometres on his racing bike in the past month, ran 155 kilometres and swam about 24 during that period.

Today, Paul Dalton turns his attention to flying.

A 52-year-old school bus driver and bicycle repairman from St. Edward, Dalton is winging his way to Hawaii, where he and a group of up to 39 other athletes from around the world will compete in the world ultraman championships Nov. 26 to 28. It's an invitation-only race, open only to accomplished ironman and ultraman participants.

He will be using the week leading up to the big race on the Big Island of Hawaii getting acclimatized and acquainted with the scenic but tortuous course.

"I'm looking forward to it," said Dalton. "I think I was meant to be there."

He said he will be carrying in his head during the race the many well-wishes, and sponsorship support he has received.

The race starts off with a 10-kilometre ocean swim from Kallua Bay to Keauhau Bay, but that's only part of Stage 1. Participants hop on their bikes and pedal up to Volcanoes National Park. They climb some 7,600 feet during that 145-kilometre scenic bike ride.

They endure another 276-kilometre bike ride during Stage 2, where vertical climbs total 8,600 feet. On Nov. 28, the participants finish off the race with a double marathon (84-kilometre) run to the beach in Old Airport State Park.

"I'm looking forward to it. I think I was meant to be there." - Paul Dalton

Dalton's confidence in his swimming was boosted last summer, when he trimmed 10 minutes off of his swim time in Canada's ultraman race in B.C. He is hoping to complete the Hawaiian swim in four hours.

Dalton's ultraman time in B.C. was 33:17.15.

A fast swim time is critical, he said, as participants have only 12 hours to complete each stage. Miss the deadline by mere seconds and you don't advance to the next stage, he acknowledged.

"You have to get out of the water as quickly as you can," he stressed.

His swim escort is Clark Willcox. Willcox will paddle ahead of him in a kayak, making sure he stays in a straight line, and tossing him water and nutrients at timely intervals.

Crew chief is Ellis Andrews from B.C., an accomplished ultraman participant. Dalton's daughter, Paulette, and her boyfriend, Triton Hall, are also on his support crew.

One of the things Dalton said he will be focusing on extensively leading up to the big race and on race days is nutrition.

"That's the biggest part," he said. "That's what gets you to the finish line."

wbureau@journalpioneer.com

The Daltons at The Canadian Ironman

http://www.ironman.ca/

1405 (OVERALL PLACE) 12:48:12(TOTAL TIME) DALTON, PAULETTE 36/77 (DIVISION PLACE)
1491 (OVERALL PLACE) 12:54:27(TOTAL TIME) DALTON, PAUL 145/288(DIVISION PLACE)

Full Results

Congrats!

http://www.journalpioneer.com/Sports/2010-09-03/article-1725352/Dalton-daughter-overtakes-father-in-Ironman-race/1

Dalton daughter overtakes father in Ironman race

Published on September 3rd, 2010

Eric McCarthy

ST. EDWARD - A little tap on the shoulder near the halfway mark of the marathon in the recent Subaru Canada Ironman triathlon in Penticton, B.C., signalled a shift in ranking for the father-daughter team of Paul and Paulette Dalton.

Never before had Paulette bested her father in a race.

The marathon run - 42 kilometres - is the third and last leg of the Ironman race, which starts with a 3.8-kilometre swim and is followed by a 180-kilometre bike race.

Paulette, 26, who is a nurse in Toronto, finished the three-event race with a combined time of 12 hours 48 minutes 12 seconds (12:48:12). Her father, a 52-year-old bus driver from St. Edward, finished six minutes 15 seconds later.

"I'm very proud of her, big time," Paul said of his daughter's result.

Paulette finished 36th overall in the women's 25-to-29 age category - 99th overall for the age category.

Paul was 145th in the men's 50-to-54 category.

Close to 3,000 people from around the world started the swim, and 2,606 finished the run.

"I knew she was coming," Paul said of his daughter's run. "It was nice to see her pass me."

He started the run three to four minutes ahead of her.

"She tapped me on the shoulder," said Paul. "She asked me how I was feeling. I said, 'Good luck and keep her going.'"

"She tapped me on the shoulder. She asked me how I was feeling. I said, 'Good luck and keep her going.'" - Paul Dalton

The bus driver, who is now in training for November's world Ultraman championship in Hawaii, said he was satisfied with the times both he and his daughter put up. He said he suffered through the transition from the swim to bike this year, taking almost twice as long as last year.

Had it not been for the seven extra minutes in transition, he would have been on target to equal the finish time he set last year. Paul said his swim and run times were personal bests for the course, but strong head winds took its toll during the bike event.

Paulette will be part of the support crew when her father competes in the world ultraman championship. Dad's keeping his fingers crossed that she might catch the ultraman bug.

No rest for Dalton

(click on article to enlarge & read)

http://www.journalpioneer.com/Sports/2010-08-10/article-1664742/You-forget-about-the-pain/1

You forget about the pain

Published on August 10th, 2010
Eric McCarthy

ST. EDWARD - A baggie of ice under his cap helped keep Paul Dalton cool while running the

Dalton competed in his first-ever Ultraman, a gruelling three-day race in Penticton, B.C., from July 31 to Aug. 2.

"To know that you've accomplished something that most people can't comprehend - the distance - that's something in itself," Dalton reflected.

One of 39 starters from around the world, Dalton finished 29th overall in a time of 33 hours 17 minutes 15 seconds (33:17:15).

There were challenging sections in every leg of the race. Dalton was one of five swimmers who got caught up in strong current during the swim.

The first leg of the bike ride was windy enough that it was difficult to get the speed up, even during downhill sections of the ride, Dalton said.

The second-day bike ride was expected to be difficult, and it was.

"It was a long day," he said. "A lot of climbing and descents."

It took 45 minutes to climb one of the hills.

"There's a section that's called 'the wall,'" said Dalton. "It's named that for a reason. It's very, very steep."

He was in lowest gear and standing on the pedals just to keep moving forward. "You just push hard to get to the top," he said.

Crossing the finish line at the end of two marathons "felt great," acknowledged Dalton. "You forget all about the pain."

"To know that you've accomplished something that most people can't comprehend - the distance - that's something in itself." - Paul Dalton

Dalton's support crew, Ellis and Susan Andrews, ran sections of the double marathon with him, offering him encouragement.

"They were phenomenal," Dalton said. "They knew their job and they did it really well."

Dalton credits them with helping him complete the race. They kept plying him with nourishments at just the right times throughout the race. Susan occasionally poured ice water over him to keep him cool in the 30-degree heat.

Dalton said he appreciated the knowledge and experience the veterans brought to his race. Ellis Andrews is the defending world champion in the 60-to-69 age category, and Susan has now been part of seven support crews.

He said he plans to take the Andrews up on their offer to be his support crew in Hawaii.

"They were there for me," he noted.

Dalton said he enjoyed the supportive atmosphere of participants and their teams. The awards dinner was also special.

"It's quite emotional," he said. "There's a lot of waterworks."

wbureau@journalpioneer.com

http://www.journalpioneer.com/Sports/2010-08-05/article-1653754/Dalton-is-an-Ultraman/1

Dalton is an Ultraman

ST. EDWARD – Until this year no Canadian from east of Ottawa had ever finished the Ultraman Canada triathlon.

Paul Dalton from St. Edward helped re-write the history pages, crossing the finish line in Penticton, B.C., with an overall time of 33 hours 17 minutes and 15 seconds.

Dalton finished 29th over all. Of the 39 athletes who started the three-day endurance event, 32 completed the course.

The event started Friday with a 10-kilometre swim followed by a 144.8-km bike race. On Saturday participants were tested on a 273.5-km bike race and they finished off Sunday with a double marathon run, 84.4 km.

Before leaving for B.C., Dalton said he found the swimming to be the most challenging of the three race disciplines. Swimmers needed to complete the course in under six hours or they would be pulled from the race. Dalton had hoped to cover the distance in four and a half hours. It took him just nine seconds longer than his target.

He had also said Day Two is considered the most demanding part of the race. He covered the 273.5 km in 11 hours, 13 minutes and 10 seconds. Dalton’s prerequisite that enabled him to qualify for his first-ever Ultraman were two Ironman races in Penticton. An Ironman goes non-stop and is roughly one-half the distance of an Ultraman.

This year’s field included nine Canadians, and two of them finished at the top of the pack.

Kevin Cutjar from Penticton was the first-place finisher in a time of 21 hours, 49.45, chopping an hour, 10 minutes and 50 seconds off the event. He finished an hour and seven minutes ahead of the second-place finisher who also eclipsed the old standard.

Tracey McQuar, 34, also from Penticton, was the first female to complete the course. Her time of 26:08.24 makes her the second fastest female in the 10-year history of the event.

Islanders on the Run-Swim-Bike - Paul Dalton is an Ultraman!

http://ultramancanada.com/

Dalton Paul - 52 - M
DAY 1: 4:30:09 (10Km Swim) 6:10:31 (144.8Km Bike) 10:40:40 (Total Day 1 )
DAY 2: 11:13:10 (273.5Km Bike) 21:53:50 (Total Day 2 )
17:23:41(Total Bike)
DAY 3: 11:23:25 (84.4Km Run)
33:17:15 Event Total
29 Place

Results

Congrats Paul!!

Paul Dalton wants to be an Ultraman finisher

http://www.journalpioneer.com/Sports/2010-07-22/article-1602251/Paul-Dalton-wants-to-be-an-Ultraman-finisher/1

Paul Dalton wants to be an Ultraman finisher

St. Edward’s resident Paul Dalton is training for Ultraman Canada competition.

Photo: Eric McCarthy/Journal Pioneer

ST. EDWARD – Anyone who travels the roads of Western P.E.I. on a regular basis has probably encountered St. Edward’s resident Paul Dalton either out for a run or cycling. Go to the beach in Miminegash or the Mill River Aquaplex pool and one is likely to find Dalton swimming laps. Other athletes train with him on occasion, just to keep him company and keep him motivated.

Dalton is a man on a mission. The 52-year-old school bus driver and bicycle repairman is in training for Ultraman Canada.

“I think I will be ready,” Dalton pronounced, noting he has been training hard for the three-day triathlon in Penticton, B.C., July 31 to Aug. 2. He leaves July 27.

The race starts with a 10-kilometre swim and a 145-km bike ride the first day. Sound intense? That’s just the start.

“The second day, they say, is the hardest. That’s in the back of your mind,” Dalton admitted.

Day Two consists of a 275-km bike ride from Penticton to Princeton.

The final day of the event puts runners through a double marathon – 84 kilometres.

There are time limits to meet. For instance, swimmers must be out of the water within six hours or they are not allowed to continue.

“I figure I can get it done in four and a half hours,” Dalton said.

They have 12 hours to complete both stages of Day One.

The race is so tough that in the nine-year history of the Penticton Ultraman, only 29 Canadians have crossed the finish line, none from east of Ottawa. Dalton said he hopes to change that statistic.

There are just 40 athletes from eight countries in the race, which is by invitation only.

Dalton has an experienced support team in his corner, Ellis and Susan Anderson from British Columbia. Ellis, 65, won the Hawaiian Ultraman for his age group, 60 to 69, last year. Susan is an ultra-cycling coach and has been on swim crews.

“It depends on who you sit beside on an airplane,” Dalton said in explaining how one thing led to another and now to his first Ultraman.

While flying to his first Boston Marathon in 2006 he sat next to Ellis Anderson.

“He suggested I try an Ironman.”

Check. Dalton’s done that with his daughter, Paulette, in 2008 and 2009, also in Penticton. An Ironman triathlon is less than half the distance of an Ultraman – 3.8-km swim, 180-km bike and full marathon run – but with no breaks in between and must be completed in less than 17 hours. Dalton will have nearly a month to recover before heading back to Penticton for his third Ironman on Aug. 29.

He said he appreciates all the good wishes and sponsorship support he has received during his Ultraman preparations.