Among the more than 1,000 participants set to race in the Revolution3 Triathlon in Old Orchard Beach on Sunday will be veteran triathlete Angela Bancroft. And the Norway, Me. native will likely be sought out before and after the race ”“ and not just because she could be a contender.
Bancroft not only competes in triathlons, such as the Rev3, but she is also a USA Triathlon Level 1-certified Triathlon coach. And four years ago she started TriMoxie Multisport Coaching with friend and fellow triathlete Mary Holt-Wilson.
“I’ve been involved with sports all my life. I swam competitively while I was growing up,” said Bancroft. “It was just really a natural progression for me.”
The Rev3 will be the eighth half-ironman distance triathlon that Bancroft will compete in, to go along with four full-ironman distance races, eight marathons, and countless other races. In Bancroft’s mind, however, the half-ironman distance ”“ 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, and 13.1-mile run ”“ is the best one for her.
“It’s not a full Ironman, which requires so much more recovery time. It’s a distance that I’m really able to race, and really push hard throughout the event,” said Bancroft.
She competed in the Olympic-distance race at last year’s inaugural Rev3 in OOB, and said she is “very excited” to return for a second year.
“I love the ocean. It’s a treat to race down there,” said Bancroft. “It’s beautiful.”
The Rev3 will give Bancroft a chance to hone her skills in both competing and teaching. She said that every race gives her more experience to lean on, and that she can then in turn share that experience with her students.
“I know what it takes to get through these races. I understand what athletes are going through when they face different challenges,” she said.
Because she continues to compete in triathlons, Bancroft often sees students at races and competes against them, which she said is “very rewarding to actually see them out there.”
Bancroft said that the popularity of triathlons is growing, both the amount of events and the number of competitors. With the increased popularity is a business for Bancroft that has “really taken off in the last three years,” after she and Holt-Wilson started the coaching company four years ago.
And for Bancroft, she couldn’t be any happier.
“I think it was really where I was meant to be in terms of a profession,” she said.
— Staff Writer Wil Kramlich can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 323. Follow him on Twitter @WilTalkSports.
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