Challenge Penticton off and running, swimming and cycling

Thousands of people lined the shores of Okanagan Lake today to watch the pros hit the water for the Challenge Penticton Canada race.

Along with the pros, the age group athletes also dove and ran into the water for the triathlon race.

The air temperature at the start of the race was 14 C and the water temperature was 22 C.

“Today marks a whole new journey for the sport of triathlon in North America,” Challenge Family CEO Felix Walchshöfer said. “The Challenge Family has officially launched in another continent, bringing enhanced race experiences to a whole new group of athletes.”

It’s a tough course. Just ask any of the athletes who’ve run the former Ironman Triathlon, which moved to Vancouver after spending years in Penticton.

After the swim in Okanagan Lake, the athletes hop on their bikes. The cycling course includes steep climbs at Richter Pass and Yellow Lake. We’re talking ascents of over 210 metres.

The running course is along Skaha Lake.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Shannon Quesnel at squesnel@infotelnews.ca, call 250-488-3065.

Challenge Penticton off and running, swimming and cycling | iNFOnews.ca
The pros get ready to hit the water for the start of the Challenge Penticton triathlon Sunday morning., The pros hit the water at the start of the Challenge Penticton triathlon Sunday morning in Okanagan Lake. Credit: Richard Lam/Getty Images

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Howard Alexander

Assistant Editor Howard Alexander comes to iNFOnews.ca from the broadcasting side of the media business.

Howard has been a reporter, news anchor, talk show host and news director, first in Saskatchewan and then the Okanagan.

He moved his family to Vernon in the 90s and is proud to call the Okanagan home.

If you have an event to share contact Howard at 250-309-5343or email halexander@infonews.ca.