Kelly Fitzsimmons is an elite multisport athlete with a decorated résumé in modern pentathlon who has recently dove into the triathlon world as well.

While she had completed a handful of triathlons previously, her friend (and former pentathlete) Luke Tasker recently invited her for an open-water swim, and she credits him with sparking the inspiration to once again toe a triathlon start line.

This all coincided with a move to Vancouver, where Kelly was looking for something separate yet related: community.

In her words: “Sport has always been the fastest way for me to feel at home somewhere new. You don’t just visit a city, you experience it through the people you train and compete with. I moved to Vancouver in November after recovering from a foot injury, and I wanted that again: a team, a reason to explore, people to share the experience with and cheer on. I found M2M Tri, and it gave me exactly that.”

Training with M2M Tri

Of the many words that could describe Kelly, humble comes quickly to mind.

At the club’s morning open-water swims at Jericho Beach, many members were experiencing a series of firsts. Their first open-water swim. Their first wetsuit. For some, their first time sharing the Pacific Ocean with a seal.

Kelly arrived with a formidable swimming background and immediately fit in, although perhaps not in the way you might expect. Only one or two swimmers could stay close enough to even attempt to hold her feet. Yet there was no announcement of her athletic résumé, no display of everything she had already accomplished in sport, and no suggestion that this group was somehow beneath her ability.

She simply swam.

And in doing so, Kelly became a quiet leader. She led from the front, giving the swimmers behind her something to chase. She encouraged. She connected. She became part of a community.

No one needed to know about the Canadian championships or the years spent competing in modern pentathlon. Here, Kelly was simply another member of the community, helping other athletes discover their own love of sport.

Then came Vancouver T100.

Still recovering from a foot injury, Kelly signed up for the sprint triathlon at the last minute. Once committed, there was the small matter of finding everything she needed to race.

At the final M2M Tri swim, two days before race day, Kelly was still planning to race in her own wetsuit. There was just one problem: the holes. Kelly could swim fast, but carrying the extra water along with her was probably unnecessary. So, the day before bike racking, she borrowed a wetsuit. It came with a borrowed race kit. She would have upgraded her bike if she’d had more time, but instead raced on the one she’s had for 20 years – no clip-in pedals, just running shoes!

Race Day Magic

Watching Kelly run down the blue carpet with a huge smile and incredible finishing speed, it was evident this race had resonated.

As she shared in an Instagram story after the race: “Just one more photo…a reminder you can still have an incredible experience even if you aren’t perfectly prepared.”

Perhaps it was the simple joy of competing again. Perhaps it was being present in what her body could do rather than what it couldn’t amidst injury. Perhaps it was discovering a different kind of purpose in sport, quietly inspiring a community of swimmers who now want to “swim like Kelly” and gather around whenever she offers even the smallest piece of advice.

Whatever it was, by the time she reached that finish line, the spark was unmistakable.

Her longtime friend and former swim training partner, Canadian professional triathlete Tamara Jewett, celebrated the result too, giving Kelly an Instagram shoutout for turning a last-minute entry and no clip-in pedals into an age-group victory.

She lines up for her next sprint this coming weekend at the Vancouver Triathlon in iconic Stanley Park.

The journey continues!