2022 Subaru Road to Kona – Geoffrey Richards
Geoff received over 40 nominations, many from members of the Durham Region Triathlon Club.
Geoff will be competing in Kona to show his daughter Sam that anything is possible. Sam is undergoing treatments for Osteosarcoma and is learning to walk again after her foot was amputated. His mindset is that if his daughter can fight every day for her life, he could push himself through a tricky workout or a hard race.
His fellow club members complimented his uplifting spirit, tenacity and dedication to his wife and family of four children.
Best of luck to Sam with her treatments and to “Fast Geoff” at the IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i.
Road to Kona is an award program, sponsored by Subaru Canada, that allows the nomination of an IRONMAN athlete to compete in the IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. If you know someone worthy, who is up for a 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike and a full marathon (42.2km) please visit us onsite at a Canadian race or go to roadtokona.ca to submit a nomination.
Subaru Canada - Road to Kona 2021: Gail Vyse
Our award recipient, Gail, is a runner, triathlete and a paramedic from Southwestern Ontario. Gail represented all of the essential and front line workers by serving as a race day volunteer at the Intermountain Health Care Ironman World Championship. Thank you Gail and everyone who volunteers for sport and in their community.
Subaru Canada - Road to Kona 2019: Kelly Hill
The 2019 Road to Kona award went to Kelly Hill from Edmonton. She is an educational assistant working with high needs kids and has her own busy Ohana. Ironman keeps Kelly going and in the right headspace to deal with family life and 2 daughters batting progressive genetic diseases.
Subaru Canada - Road to Kona 2018: Mikael Charbonneau-Lemaire
In 2017, Mikael Charbonneau-Lemaire lost his brother (Jordan) in a bike accident while training for Ironman Mont-Tremblant. Following the terrible news, it became Mike’s goal to fulfill his brother’s dream of one day competing in the Ironman World Championship in Kona. His story of courage and perseverance, won him the cross-Canada Subaru “Road to Kona” award
Subaru Canada - Road to Kona 2017: Brent Smyth
As the 2017 recipient of the Subaru Road to Kona award, Brent Smyth from Ottawa, Ontario competed in his first IRONMAN World Championship. Chosen from thousands of entrants, Smyth raced in support of Imerman Angels, a charity that offers one-on-one support to those fighting cancer.
Subaru Canada - Road to Kona 2016: David Stirling
David Stirling, a fire-fighter from Fort McMurray, gave up training for his first ever IRONMAN to battle the 2016 Alberta wildfires. His selflessness and dedication to others garnered him numerous nominations from friends and family and ultimately earned him the opportunity to compete is this iconic event.