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Penticton  

Underwear run a big hit

Friday's rain didn't stop people from donning underwear and running for a worthwhile cause in Penticton.

The good turnout was for the Underpants Run, held during the Challenge Penticton Canada festivities.

"It's just a fun and uplifting event where everyone laughs the whole time," said Heather Thompson, a race volunteer from Winnipeg.

Money raised at the event, which includes underwear sales, goes to Bikes for Kids, which supplies bikes to young athletes in the sports of cycling, triathlon, mountain bike and BMX activities, who might otherwise not be able to afford them.

Cal Kellett, the founder of Bikes for Kids, said over the years they have given the bikes away to children's triathlon clubs in the South Okanagan, as well as across Canada.

Last year, they donated three bikes to the BMX Club in Penticton, after it was broken into.

He sees the annual run in the north end of town as a good way for people of all ages to come together and a way for athletes to get rid of stress before Sunday's triathlon.

"It's just fun. A lot of the athletes here have a lot of pent up energy, so it's great to have something that isn't organized. We just run and have a good time," he said.

Dawn Hopkins participated Friday, because she sees the race as a good time for a good cause.

"My granddaughter was awarded one of the bikes last year and started doing triathlons because of the help of this group," she said. "So this is very dear to my heart."

The Underpants Run is just one many activities leading up to Sunday's triathlon.

More information is available on the Challenge Penticton website.



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