Efforts by two high priests and an elder to honor the Sabbath Day resulted in an athletic event that has created a fresh approach to fitness and missionary work in Calgary Alberta Region.

A year ago, Don Miller, first counselor in the Calgary West Stake presidency; his brother, Ian, bishop of University 1st Ward; and nephew, Stephen Miller, Calgary West Stake mission president, traveled 700 miles to compete in the Crescent Beach Triathlon in Vancouver, British Columbia, the only triathlon the could find in western Canada that was not held on a Sunday.They returned from their West Coast excursion excited about triathlons, but still unable to find local competition. So they contacted the Alberta Triathlon Association and were encouraged to organize their own event.

"We explained at a meeting with ATA members why we couldn't compete on Sundays and we were amazed at the response," Stephen Miller said. "Most of the organizers at the meeting said they would rather compete on Saturdays as well, and promised to try to change their dates if we were successful."

The result of the members' efforts was an outstanding success. The only hitch came when the provincial government announced it would not be filling Lake Sikome, the man-made lake where the swimming portion of the triathlon was planned. As it was too late to change the site, the organizers decided to go with a 20-kilometer (12-mile) bicycle ride and a five-kilometer (three mile) run. Thus, the planned triathlon became a biathlon, known as the LDS Challenge Biathlon.

The organizers, assisted by Tom Saunders, an investment broker serving as counselor in the stake mission presidency to Stephen Miller, and Calgary Stake high councilor William Tanners, then vice president of a national trust company, solicited corporate sponsorship and actively encouraged community participation.

"I've been involved in many events in the Church," said Wayne Gedlaman, first counselor in the Calgary Stake, "but I've never seen an event organized this well."

The 99 non-member participants were presented with personalized copies of the Book of Mormon in their registration package, along with written testimonies from the race coordinators.

Fifty missionaries from the Calgary Canada Mission, wearing distinctive blue "official" T-shirts acted as course marshals and drew considerable comment as the "very pleasant and helpful volunteers."

One week after the competition, Calgary West Stake missionaries reported three investigators were being taught discussions directly as a result of the biathlon.

As well, the event encouraged out-of-shape Church members to participate at their own pace. One sister proudly boasted losing "11 pounds and 17 inches."

"It provided an opportunity to compete against yourself without the intense competitive attitude prevalent in other Church sports," said Stephan Miller, an orthopedic surgeon. "Everyone ran along together rather than in the heated competition of 'my ward against your ward.'"

The competition was won by Geoff White, a ranked Canadian triathlete, who covered the distance in 44 minutes, 12 seconds. Todd Remington of Calgary Glenmore Ward, in 9th place was the first Church member to finish, in 50 minutes, 15 seconds.

Many of the non-member competitors participate in triathlon events across western Canada and the north-western United States, as well as such premier events as the Iron Man in Hawaii.

The LDS Challenge Biathlon was unique in that it involved a large cross section of ages, talent and fitness. Participants ranged from several 8-year-olds to 71-year-old Frank Pratt, and there were numerous categories for relays to further encourage mass participation

. There were 385 participants, more than any previous event held under the authority of the Alberta Triathlon Association. Organizers expect that number easily will be doubled next year due to the success of the first year event.