The 36th edition of the Kelowna Apple Triathlon is officially underway.
After a two-year hiatus, the event has made a triumphant return to our downtown core, kicking off bright and early Saturday morning with the kids races and the “Try-aTri” category.
Not only is the 2019 event special due to its return but this year the event is welcoming hundreds of athletes to compete in the Triathlon Canada Standard/ Sprint Championships as well as the CAMTRI Continental Cup.
Attending CAMTRI Athletes had their first experience with the downtown course early Saturday afternoon.
Five heats of men and women swam 300 metres before biking 1.7 kilometres and finishing off with a 1.7 km run — preparing them for their final and extended races on Sunday.
Kelowna’s own Brock Hoel is one of the many athletes who will be competing in the CAMTRI races this weekend, hoping to earn one of the coveted spots to represent Canada at the 2020 ITU Triathlon Grand Finale in Edmonton.
Hoel told KelownaNow at Friday’s Apple Triathlon press conference: “I never race to get second place, so I am going to do my best to raise that banner this weekend.”
Hoel, among the other CAMTRI competitors from around the globe, will also earn valuable ITU points to go toward their goal of heading to events like the World Championships.
Races will begin bright and early on Sunday morning with the Standard Triathlon athletes departing at 7 a.m.
CAMTRI women’s heats will leave by 10:45 a.m. and 11:10 a.m. with the men to follow at 11:35 a.m. and noon.
The community is invited to take in the action throughout the weekend down on Bernard Avenue and in City Park.
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