Penticton Challenge Triathlon offers five days of race and related activities

PENTICTON – Penticton’s Challenge Triathlon continues to evolve as this year's race acts as a qualifier for next year’s International Triathlon Union Multisport Championships.

Challenge spokesperson Holly Bird says there will be a lot of exciting things going leading up to the long distance triathlon on Sunday, Aug. 28.

“We’re staging a new event, the Aquabike, on Sunday, running alongside the triathlon,” she says.

Other races this year will include a duathlon (run, bike, run), an Aquathon (swim, run), a cross-triathlon (swim, mountain bike, run), an Aquabike, (swim, bike) and the long distance triathlon.

Bird says this year’s long distance race will be an International triathlon distance of three kilometres for the swim, 120 kilometres for the bike and a 30 km run.

“Canadians racing in this year’s events will be able to qualify to represent Canada at next year’s international championships, which will be held in Penticton,” she says.

This year’s prize purse is $30,000 U.S. Bird says the field is “really strong” this year with more than 1,500 athletes expected to participate.

Challenge action begins with duathlon nationals race on Wednesday, Aug. 24.

For a complete schedule of events, see the Challenge website.

Volunteers are still needed for this year’s race. Those interested are asked to visit the Valley First Volunteer Hub webpage to register.

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