Melanie McQuaid

Career

McQuaid was born and raised in Victoria, British Columbia. She competed in swimming while in high school and ran while attending the University of Victoria, earning her degree in biochemistry and chemistry. She next pursued a professional career in road cycling and mountain biking after being offered many opportunities in cycling as a beginning woman cyclist. She raced her first World Cup race in 1998, but after not making the Canadian mountain bike team for the 2000 Olympics, and growing tired of the repetitiveness of the single sport, McQuaid began competing in XTERRA triathlon. She found that these events suited her perfectly because of her athletic background and strengths. In 2006 and 2008 she won the Offroad Triathlete of the Year award at the Competitor Magazine Endurance Sport Awards.