Kristian Manietta loved the The Penticton Ramada Elevator Race that ended at Apex Mountain Resort on March 28.
“It was a challenge,” said Manietta, who learned about the race from friend Kevin Cutjar, who won as a solo. “It’s such a unique event. Geographically, there is not too many places that you can do such a unique and different, challenging and fun event.”
Manietta decided to try the race, which tests participants with an eight kilometre paddling course, 25-km bike course, eight-km mountain run/snow shoe, six-km mountain bike, seven-km nordic ski and four-km downhill ski. Manietta had never paddled except for just before the race and had only been on skies five times. The triathlon coach was happy with his performance as he finished second as a solo in five hours, 46 minutes and 58 seconds.
“For people that I guess are looking to step outside of their comfort zone and do something different, then the elevator race definitely ticks that box,” continued Manietta of Peregian Beach, Australia, who is residing in Whistler with his family. “Maybe do some paddling and cross country skiing before hand.”
Manietta enjoyed taking on what he said were good athletes and found the atmosphere to be fun.
“It’s something completely different,” said Manietta,
Laura Rapp was the first female to complete the race as a solo, clocking in at 6:46.
“It was hard. I was pretty happy just to finish and then to do it in that kind of time, I was pretty stoked,” said Rapp of Kamloops. “There were a few kind of dig deep moments. The run was definitely one of the hardest stages. It’s just one long tough uphill slog for about 10 km.” Rapp, who competed in the event last year as a team, said the cross-country skiing was also challenging.
She pushed through as her legs got tired and hunger kicked in. Inner determination is what helped her finish.
“I just really wanted it. I had my goal set on pushing myself and I just really wanted to finish,” she said. “Know that I had pushed myself.”
Rapp said it’s just a great race that is well organized. Having six different sports separates the The Penticton Ramada Elevator Race from others, she said.
Cutjar completed the race in 5:03:10 and Peachland’s Brent Walde took 6:59:52.
In the team category, Bike Barn Gran Fondo Axel Merckx with Tim Bell, Jason Curran, Aart Van Kooey, Will Pratt, Jeff Plant and Ryan Taylor won finishing in 3:59:57. In second was Eckhart Dental with Tom Evans and Jonathan Caron at 4:03:39. In third was We’re Here for the Beer with Don Mulhall, Brad Lee, Geoff Waterman, Dave Matheson and Chris Neenon in 4:04:08.
Organizer Lyndie Hill of Hoodoo Adventures said aside from heavy winds early in the day, everything was fantastic and it was a great day. The race attracted 150 participants, including 30 teams, the most they have ever had.
“We just need to figure out how to spread the word and grow,” said Hill, adding she would like it to double.
