A bounty has been placed on the records of the Investors.ca Peach Classic triathlon on July 21.
The 31st annual event will pay $5,000 to any male or female triathlete that can beat the current Olympic distance time of Stefan Jakobsen, one hour, 54 minutes and 25 seconds, and Carol Montgomery, two hours, four minutes and 25 seconds, set in 1998.
In a release issued by organizers, the plan is to make the race the premier triathlon in the Okanagan Valley and B.C. The Olympic distance is a 1.5-km swim, 40-km bike and 10-km run.
“The idea behind it is try and upgrade the race,” said co-organizer Dave Bullock. “Make it more exciting. Hopefully we can bring some more higher calibre athletes into town to race against the likes of Jeff Symonds and even Tom Evans, perhaps racing this year.”
Bullock feels with new sponsors, that will help make the event a great experience.
“The course record is certainly achievable for someone like Jeff Symonds to race hard,” said Bullock. “The ladies course record is very good. Carol Montgomery was an Olympian.”
The challenging course remains the same from last year.
With the cash incentive, Bullock said it could be a good payday that includes prizes thanks to their new sponsors. While he wants to attract strong athletes, he also wants locals to enter the mix.
“Locals are notoriously late getting on the bandwagon,” he said.
Those who register in person before April 2 for the Olympic and sprint distance will receive $10 off the early registration fee and be entered for a chance to win their fee back. Registration forms can be picked up at the following locations: The Bike Barn, City Centre Fitness and Peach City Runners and Adventure Sports (completed forms with payment can be dropped off at Peach City Runners and Adventure Sports).
Bullock said they are a month ahead of schedule with registration from last year as just over 40 have entered. Last year they had 300 athletes and are hoping for 350 to 400. The Investors.ca Peach Classic Triathlon sprint distance, which is a B.C. Provincial Championship race, is considered perfect for long time triathletes or rookies to the sport.
“Even though we are the B.C. Sprint championships that shouldn’t scare away the newbies to the sport,” said Bullock, adding that the race is also partnered up with the Boston Pizza Junior Triathlon, which is the day before.
