Photo: Dustin Godfrey

Jeff Symonds and Jen Annett, Canadian team athletes.

A team of 1,000 Canadians who share a passion for swimming, biking and running will compete at the Multisport Triathlon World Championships next month in Penticton.

The group of elite athletes will be representing Canada at the event Aug. 18 to 27, facing the world for a spot on the podium.

“The eyes of the triathlon world are going to be on Penticton, and Canada, for 10 days in August with more than 3,000 athletes representing 50 countries around the globe,” said Kim Van Bruggen, chief executive officer, Triathlon Canada. “Team Canada is on a mission for medals and will be well represented in this quest in all race categories with an impressive list of our top professional and National Team athletes, who have all won titles around the world, leading the way."

"Team Canada is ready to put on a show in this ground-breaking event that will have a massive impact on our sport,” she said.

Penticton's very own triathletes, Jeff Symonds and Jen Annett, are favourites at the competition and will lead the Canadian team, along with 10 other professional athletes.

Each of the competitions will start and finish in Downtown Penticton with the courses featuring a variety of terrain that takes athletes past some of Penticton’s vistas, wineries and landmarks.

“I truly believe, given their rich history with triathlon, there is no better place in the world to give the nod to hosting this prestigious inaugural event than Penticton,” Van Bruggen said. “The sport of triathlon has its roots deeply entrenched in North America with areas like Penticton leading the way in Canada."