Organizers for the 30th Peach Classic Triathlon are aiming high for participants.
Dave Bullock, co-race director for the Peach Classic Triathlon, said they would “like to see 400 to 500 participants.”
Realistically though, he said the figure will likely be near 350. One reason is because of the several races available to athletes.
What the Peach Classic Tri offers is a new sprint relay, scenic course that is safe and prize money for the top three male and female athletes in the Olympic distance.
The run course is described as a “big classic change.” Athletes will head east on Lakeshore Drive and follow the bike route up Vancouver Hill to Vancouver Place, where athletes will join the KVR trail. Athletes will then complete a 3.7 kilometre run on the scenic KVR trail through vineyards and orchards over trestles away from traffic. Three hundred metres past the trail store (at the scarecrow) there will be a turnaround and return to transition – one loop only. The sprint distance has a different turnaround at 1.2-km on the KVR trail.
“People wanted more of a challenge,” said Bullock, of the event sponsored by Lisa Hopper of the Investor’s Group. “Putting the run in will challenge and the view puts more classic back in.”
Bullock feels the changes made will make the event more interesting.
“We are looking forward to it,” he said.
To celebrate the 30 years of the race, organizers have invited past winners to participate. Penticton’s Jeff Symonds has committed. An invite has also been extended to Tom Evans, Jill Savege and Joanne Montgomery, the first female winner in 1983.
To encourage locals to participate, there is an early-bird entry with the deadline being May 26. The charge is $90 for the Olympic distance and is only available to locals. Registration should be completed and taken to Peach City Classic Runners.
Organizers are also looking for volunteers, which are sponsored by the Lakeside. There will be a volunteer party after the event. Those interested in getting involved can do so by visiting http://peachclassic.ca or calling 250-493-9270.