Penticton to host first international triathlon festival in 2017

FIRST IN WORLD TO BE AWARDED MASSIVE 10-DAY FESTIVAL FORMAT

PENTICTON – Penticton will host a new format of world series triathlon events in 2017, according to a recent announcement by the International Triathlon Union.

The first ever Multisport Triathlon Festival will be staged in Penticton, most likely in late August of 2017, said co-organizer Kevin Cutjar, who submitted a bid for the event with partner Michael Brown.

Cutjar said finer details of the event still need to be worked out, including how the festival will work around the existing Valley First Challenge Penticton Triathlon, which traditionally takes place during the third week of August. Cutjar and Brown currently hold the licence for Challenge Penticton.

Cutjar said the new festival format will make it possible for athletes to compete in more than one event during the 10-day festival.

“In previous years, up until 2017, the world championships for the various disciplines, which include long distance triathlon, duathlon, aquathlon and cross triathlon were held in various locations around the world. As of Penticton in 2017, all world championship races will take place here over 10 days,” Cutjar said. He expects as many as 2,000 or more athletes will participate in the long distance race, with up to 800 in the duathlon and cross triathlon respectively, and 500 or more in the aquathlon.

Cutjar said with respect to Challenge and the Multisport World Championship Festival being held in the same year, "we need to consider the triathlon race calendar, as well as qualifying event timelines, so TriBC, Triathlon Canada and Challenge Family will all have input on the most fitting solution regarding scheduling."

“There is also potential for Penticton to host test events and qualifying events in 2016, which will also attract more athletes to Penticton at various times over the next two years.”

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