The registration deadline for the Valley First Challenge Penticton nears.
Athletes have until midnight on Aug. 9 to sign up for the 3.8-kilometre run, 180-km bike and 42.2-m run as well as the half distance, full relay and half relay. The event takes place on Aug. 30. Organizers made a change with this year’s event moving the professional race from the full distance to half in order to attract more top-level competitors.
“There are more long distance races on the professional circuit now, making it increasingly harder to attract top professionals to race here” said Challenge Penticton co-race director Kevin Cutjar on the website. “We used to see some of the best athletes in the sport go head-to-head in Penticton. This has changed over the past five to 10 years, and in the last two years both men and women champions have posted world class performances, winning by 15 to 20 minutes, yet these efforts go largely unnoticed due to lack of competition.”
A total of $30,000 is up for grab with the winners to take home $6,000. Second place will receive $4,000, while $2,500 goes to the third place finisher, $1,500 for fourth and $1,000 for fifth.
With the full distance becoming an age-group event this year, awards will be given to the top three competitors in each of the five-year age groups, which is also the award structure for the half distance race.
Challenge kicks off on Aug. 26 with a Splash and Dash at Rotary Park at 5 p.m. For a schedule events, check www.challenge-penticton.com.