Once upon a time, Vernon ultra athlete Shanda Hill hated being chased by other athletes. Rattled her to her very foundation.
Now, Hill thrives on the pursuit, driving the pack in her races from the front and pushing everyone to keep up.
It's exactly where Hill wants to be.
Hill is well into the bike portion of her fourth Deca Ultra Triathlon race of 2025, this one on the roads of Myslak贸w, Poland, an hour west of Warsaw. As of 6 a.m. PT Monday, July 14, she has the lead over male counterpart Goulwenn Tristant of France, the man who chased (and passed) Hill a few weeks ago to win an event in France.
"Shanda told us that today she got caught in a devastating downpour, soaked right through, but her spirits are still high," said Hill's support team on the Facebook page Shanda Hill Ultra Athlete. "Jade (support member in Poland) says she鈥檚 out there whistling and singing her songs as always, making the best of every single lap.
"Right now Shanda is still holding first place overall, but it鈥檚 tight. Goulwenn Tristant from France is chasing her down, and if Shanda wants to stay ahead she knows she鈥檒l need to keep pushing hard on the bike."
Heavy rain and lightning storms are in the weather forecast for the athletes Tuesday, as well as more rain in the week ahead. That will mean slick roads, cold riders, and a higher chance of injuries, so it will be a serious test for every athlete in the race.
Hill has completed 138 laps, or 573 kilometres, of the bike portion, which is 1,800 kms in total. Tristant has completed 116 laps.
American Lia Sterciuc is in third place, having finished 97 bike laps.
"Shanda is out there showing what heart and mental toughness truly look like," said her team.
