Barrie Shepley, a nationally and internationally recognized triathlon coach, will be inducted into the Caledon Walk of Fame on September 12.
The Town of Caledon named Shepley as the 2026 inductee on August 21, describing the honour as recognition of his contributions to sport, wellness and community building, and his lasting impact on generations of residents, according to a Town of Caledon news release.
A legacy beyond the finish line
Shepley's credentials reach well beyond Caledon. He is known as a triathlon coach, athlete, author and broadcaster on national and international stages.
But the Town says his influence at home runs deeper than his sporting accomplishments. Through initiatives such as Kids of Steel and the Egg Nog Jog, along with recreational opportunities at C3 James Dick Quarry, the release credits Shepley with helping bring residents together, promoting active living and creating a welcoming community for people of all ages and abilities.
His message has also travelled beyond the community through his book, Chasing Greatness: Stories of Passion and Perseverance in Sport and in Life, which the release says has shared his themes of perseverance and resilience with audiences around the world.
“Barrie Shepley represents so much of what the Caledon Walk of Fame is about. His accomplishments on the national and international stages are outstanding, but his ongoing commitment to our community is what makes his legacy so very special,” said Mayor Annette Groves in a Town of Caledon news release. “Barrie has inspired generations of Caledon residents to be active, believe in themselves and support one another. He has also become a familiar face at our annual Caledon Sport Hall of Fame ceremony, where he has been an outstanding emcee. It seems only fitting that we give him a permanent stage of his own on the Walk of Fame!”
Groves noted that Shepley has served as emcee of the Caledon Sport Hall of Fame ceremony, making him a familiar presence at the Town's annual celebration of local athletes and builders.
Ceremony details
The induction ceremony is scheduled for September 12, 2026. The Town says residents can find more information about the Caledon Walk of Fame and the upcoming ceremony at Caledon.ca/WOF.
The Walk of Fame is one of the ways Caledon, a community of close to 80,000 residents and 4,000 businesses, honours those who have shaped life in the Town — and, in Shepley's case, someone whose work has spanned local recreation and international sport.
The announcement comes as Caledon continues to grow, with the Town projecting it will become home to 300,000 residents and 125,000 jobs by 2051, one of the fastest-growing communities in Ontario.
