Half Challenge added to 2014 race

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer - Castanet

Challenge Penticton, Canada announced Wednesday it is introducing the Half-Challenge Penticton, Canada for 2014.

Representatives for Challenge Penticton announced Wednesday that a half-challenge will be included in its race calendar for 2014.

The decision to offer the Half-Challenge Penticton was very much athlete driven and will be the only such event to show up in August in Western Canada, according to organizers.

"The athletes have requested this, so in 2014 we will put on the half race in conjunction with the full race," said Bruce Schoenne, the athlete liaison.

Schoenne said this works because many people don't have the time to train for the long distance triathlon due to family and work commitments.

The new event will commence with a 1.9 km swim in Okanagan Lake, followed by a single-loop 90 km bike ride through the South Okanagan and finally a 21.1 km out and back run through Penticton and along northeastern Skaha Lake.

Wave starts and relay teams will again be available .

The race will be limited to 600 entries: 500 individual athlete entries and 100 relay teams. composed of two or three members.

The registration fees, will be $350 for an individual entry and $475 for a relay team.

Race registration will be available from 9 a.m., Monday, August. 26, 2013 in Penticton's Gyro Park and online shortly after.

The additional race will also provide spectators with more to see and do.

Barb Haynes, general manager for Challenge Penticton, said interest continues to grow in the first Challenge Penticton triathlon slated to take place in August 2013.