The Elevation Series, comprised of four outdoor races, is coming to the Okanagan next year. Organized by Hoodoo Adventures, the races will take place in Penticton, Kelowna, Apex Mountain Resort and Big White Ski Resort.
Two of the events, Ullr’s Winter Tri (at Apex Mountain Resort) and the Elevator Race (Penticton to Apex Mountain Resort) are returning local events.
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New races for 2017 include a second Ullr’s Winter Tri (taking place at Big White Ski Resort) and the Ski2Tree (Kelowna Nordic Centre to Tree Brewery), which is a re-brand of the popular Ski2Sea race, last held in Kelowna in 2014.
The multi-sport races feature mountain and road biking, skiing, snowshoeing, road and trail running and paddling.
The Elevation Series will appeal to competitive men and women, recreational groups, masters (55+), and teams of corporate companies and sports groups. Athletes of all ages and fitness levels are encouraged to participate.
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“The Okanagan is the perfect setting for these types of winter and early spring races,” says Lyndie Hill, co-owner of Hoodoo Adventures in a press release. “We want to showcase the fact that athletes can ski and paddle in the same day with four other disciplines in between.”
Community is extremely important to Hoodoo Adventures, which is why the company has chosen to support the Youth Outdoor Recreation Society (YORS), a newly founded subsidy program that funds outdoor recreation opportunities for schools in the Okanagan.
The Elevation Series has a goal to create business partnerships through sponsorship opportunities to cover the cost of the races in the series, with all other net profits going directly to YORS. Hoodoo also encourages participants to gain sponsors to donate and support the cause with prizes given to the largest fundraisers.
Registration for the four races opens Dec. 15. Participants can register for each race individually or sign up for all four. Athletes competing in more than one race in the series are eligible for discount pricing. For more information and to register, visit: elevationseries.ca.