PENTICTON – Valley First Challenge Penticton is this Thursday hosting an open house to share about its plans for the 2015 event. All interested parties are welcome to attend the evening, that is being held at the Ramada Inn and Suites Penticton at 5:30 p.m.

Thursday’s open house program includes drinks, hor d’oeuvres, videos and speeches from new race directors Michael Brown and Kevin Cutjar, including details of the new run course along the Penticton River Channel. Brown and Cutjar will be joined by two-time race champion, local athlete Jeff Symonds, who will speak about his latest long-distance triathlon win in Melbourne, Australia.

In addition, a Challenge Half registration will be auctioned in support of Feed the Valley – an initiative by Valley First aimed at tackling hunger in the Okanagan, Similkameen and Thompson valleys. There will also be door prizes and giveaways.

“One of the major reasons this event has been successful for so long is because of the support we receive from the community around us,” said Kevin Cutjar, Race Director. “It’s important we connect with local residents to share our plans for this race, because without their support the event wouldn’t be a success year after year and have such a positive impact on the city and surrounding region.”

“It is exciting to see the new ownership innovating and adapting to re-brand and return the race to being Penticton's premiere signature event,” said Andrew Jakubeit, Penticton Mayor. “I am also excited to hear from hometown hero Jeff Symonds on his experiences and what makes the Penticton course so special.”

Since taking over the ownership of the event from the City of Penticton in August, the new race directors have announced a series of changes designed to strengthen and grow the multi-sport festival. They have announced a new, spectator-friendly run course; a new finish line stadium and expo compound; and a new Energy Zone for fans and spectators.

The initiatives are all designed to make the event more exciting and open it up to more residents and visitors.