When the gun fires to send off the participants of the 29th annual Investors Group Peach Classic Triathlon, one person is hoping there will be more local flavour.
Dave Bullock, one of the race directors, feels that other races take away from people participating in the Peach Classic Triathlon, B.C.’s second oldest triathlon, which will be held on July 17.
“It’s just a great little race,” said Bullock, who praised the support by the Investors Group, which have been sponsors since 1991.
Of the 327 racers last year, Penticton had 20 in the sprint distance and 39 in the Olympic distance. Bullock stated that the Subaru Ironman Canada event attracted 65 last year while breaking its own record with 2,760 participants.
Along with the Peach Classic Triathlon being a B.C. Series event, it is also offering the sprint distance again. It’s a shorter distance race (swim 750 metres, cycle 20 kilometres and run five km) and allows athletes aged 16 to 17 to participate.
There is also the Boston Pizza Junior Triathlon entering its 25th year. Bullock said that is relatively the same, but with a double loop added.
While the registered number of participants is low at the moment, Bullock is confident that will change as the race nears. The race is capped every year to 500 participants. The Penticton Lakeside Resort has offered its support by being a volunteer sponsor. Bullock also stated that anyone interested in getting involved should contact he or Sarah Johnston at 778-476-4330. For information about the Boston Pizza Junior Triathlon, contact Troyce Beglow at 250-493-9270.
