Board of Directors

The Toronto Triathlon Club Board of Directors are a group of passionate triathletes who volunteer their time to help develop the sport of triathlon in the Greater Toronto Area.

Ted Rosen – President

Following 30 years of outdoor activities including rock climbing, mountaineering, skiing, canoeing, kayaking and racing sailboats, I returned to marathon running to get back in shape after a temporary fitness lapse.  A neighbour suggested it would be fun to do a triathlon, and I thought the cross training benefits would be a real bonus. That was 9 years ago.  I bought a road bike, started swimming in a local pool, and entered my first sprint triathlon to see if I could finish.  (I did finish - last in my age group) Each year since, has seen an increase in my race distance goals, as I learned more about the sport(s).  I have raced all triathlon distances with 5 ironman finishes including Hawaii in 2009. I am fascinated by the many aspects of training, and find it a continuous learning process.  .

The Toronto Triathlon Club gave me the opportunity to meet a great group of people, and my triathlon experience has been enhanced by the friendships developed at social, training and racing activities.  Seeing other club members achieve their goals and being cheered in races is truly motivating.  

Philip Dale - Vice President 

I grew up in the pool as a competitive swimmer and took a 20-year hiatus until rejoining the sport though a Masters swim club.  That opened the door to triathlon four years ago where I competed in a try-a-tri and won my age group, fueling my competitive juices.  I’ve since transitioned to Olympic distances and plan to compete at that distance until next year where I plan to move up to half iron distance next year and then to a full ironman distance the following year when I turn 40.  

This is my third year with the club.  I am currently an NCCP Community Level Coach and in the process of completing the Comp Intro Level.  When I’m not the prototypical time-crunched triathlete I am working towards finishing chef school.

Carolyn Kerr -Treasurer

I did my first sprint triathlon about 5 years ago when my best friend and I challenged each other.  Although both of us were competitive swimmers growing up and regular runners we had never been on a road bike.  After borrowing road bikes to do our first sprint we were hooked and subsequently took the plunge and invested in bikes of our own.  I do a few sprints now each summer with friends who also just enjoy getting out and having a friendly competition with each other.

Roger Barker - Secretary

After running for about 20 years, I bought a mountain bike for cross-training purposes – usually when nursing a running injury! One thing led to another and I did my first sprint duathlon and triathlon races in 2003. Since that first year I have been working to improve my biking and swimming, and have gradually increased the race distances all the way to Ironman. I joined the TTC in 2008/9, and have participated in bike rides, swim clinics, run clinics, camps in Collingwood and have attended many of the talks on racing, nutrition, injury prevention etc. I have also followed several of the training programs and schedules prepared by Nigel Gray and his colleagues specifically for members.

All of these activities have helped me improve from being one of the slowest in my age group in the early years to regular podium positions today in major events such as Ironman Lake Placid, Ironman Canada and the Muskoka Long course. In the process I have made great friends with fellow club members, and look forward to serving on the Board, and continuing to train and race with club members.

John Hughes -  Director, Social

Some years ago my doctor admonished me for lack of exercise, poor fitness and a weight gain that lifted my BMI into the obese category at my annual medical. What to do?  Having played field hockey and run marathons and ultra-marathons until I gracefully retired from competitive sport to nurse injuries and ailments and get married and have kids, I knew for sure that my crocked knees and joints and lifestyle were beyond the point of no return. Or I thought I did. I took up road cycling skeptically – it was inline-wheel chairing at the outset for me. After a couple of century races I got addicted to the danger-factor in mountain biking and became an avid contestant on the Ontario Cup circuit. 

As I got into the discipline more and more, I took up half marathons with the Running Room on Yonge St for cross training and on a dare tried out a couple of sprint distance triathlons. In 2012 I want to keep up with mountain biking and running , but also prove that it’s possible to fit in triathlons as well. I want to do several sprint distance triathlons and an Xterra.  As a newbie to the club and a newbie to the committee, I want to spread the pleasure and enjoyment and fun that I derive from being in sport again.  As club Social Secretary, I will look to promote the extra-mural aspects of this wonderful lifestyle. Work hard, play hard.

Maria James - Director, Sponsorship

"I have been an athlete my whole life with Rugby being the prominent sport.  After I sustained my last contact sport injury, a dislocated shoulder.  I decided that I needed a new sport to maintain fitness and to continuing meeting  positive like-minded athletes.  So I joined the Running Room and completed my first marathon.
During these months, I was also meeting triathletes and was invited to go to the TTC membership social. I this social remembered that I was once a on the swim team in high school and a spinning instructor in University. I was hopeful that I could perhaps achieve a dream to completing a decent Triathlon. With the help of the great people of TTC, where I found the excellent coaching, advice, and encouragement and I completed my first Muskoka Half- Ironman 2011.   I love my new sport and the camaraderie that I found with the Toronto Triathlon Club. I look forward in helping the club increase value to its members in the capacity of Sponsorship Director."

Tara Postnikoff - Director, Training

I tried my first triathlon 5 years ago as I needed a break from long distance running in the heat of the summer.  After my first Try-A-Tri in Guelph I was hooked.  I completed 3 more races that summer, bought a road bike and signed up for the inaugural Muskoka Half-Ironman in 2008 – go big right?!  I had a year to train for it, so  I decided that I’d better find some like-minded people to help me with this adventure. A running friend suggested I join the Toronto Triathlon Club (TTC).  I followed the TTC training plans that first year and adapted them for my own needs.  I even joined the TTC swim group to help keep me swimming over the winter months.

I have met some terrific people though the TTC and now have plenty new friends to train with. The TTC helps make you feel as though this individual sport is really a team endeavor.   What I love about triathlon is the openness and support that the community offers.   I’ve since completed numerous short distance races,  three Ironman 70.3 races, and an Olympic distance ITU World Championship race.  I won my age group in the MSC triathlon series last year and now I have signed up for Ironman Canada 2012!  

Last year was my first year on the board with the TTC.  As Social director, I helped plan some fun new events for 2011 including the 5th year AGM and Awards Banquet.  This year I have taken over the Training portfolio and hope it will be a great 2012 with fun filled and valuable clinics, camps and training adventures!

Donna Bowers - Director, Communications

I took up triathlons in 2004 to get in shape and lose weight, and develop a social network of people who looked great in spandex. Now it is my way of life, over 100 pounds off and an ironman under my belt, I live by my mantra "Nothing is Impossible". So remember, if I can do it, so can you. My wish for you in 2012 is go stronger, go faster and most of all... have fun! 

Myndi Quirion - Director, Membership

Ben Lawson - Past President

I took up triathlon in 2005 and discovered the Toronto Triathlon Club the following winter. The single Sprint triathlon I completed in that first year was a psychological leap into the unknown. I had no idea what the race would take out of me! I survived and wanted more... In 2006 I took part in five more Sprints and an Olympic-distance race. I built my 2007 season around the Peterborough Half Iron race, but circumstances eventually led me to the starting line for Ironman Western Australia, which was a great experience.

As I have delved deeper into triathlon (I now have three Ironman races under my belt) I've found our Club's community to be a great support, helping me find answers to questions and making training more enjoyable. I have greatly enjoyed the contributions I have been able to make in my years of the Board.