KELOWNA, BC - July 21, 2014 - With less than a month to go before the 32nd annual Pushor Mitchell Apple Triathlon on August 15 to 17, all indicators are that one of Kelowna's most reputable sporting events will host outstanding talent. In addition to attracting a large number of North American triathletes, top international teams will attend in preparation of the ITU World Triathlon Championships in Edmonton at the end of August. Australia has indicated its team will be participating in the ITU Elite Sprint – 2014 Kelowna PATCO Sprint Triathlon Premium Pan American Cup and the Junior Elite Sprint at the Pushor Mitchell Apple Triathlon, which is also the National Grand Final and BC Provincial Championships.

Organized by the Kelowna Apple Triathlon Society (KATS), the "Apple" is known to cater for all ages and stages in a beautiful and safe environment. Pushor Mitchell Apple Triathlon race director Randy Sparrow confirms, "We have more than 300 participants registered for Saturday's Kids of Steel, Try-a-Tri, Under 16 and Junior Elite events, and over 800 registered for Sunday's Sprint and Olympic events. Since this is a qualifying event for the 2015 ITU Age Group World Championships in Chicago, offering three qualifying Olympic and Sprint distance spots per age group and gender, we expect entries to increase substantially before registration closes on August 10."

Around 600 of the required 1100 volunteer positions have been filled to date. Positions are available for set-up, truck drivers, body-marking, swim course support, run and bike marshals, assisting disabled athletes, transition and finish line support as well as water station attendants. Positions and time slots are available online at www.appletriathlon.com. To register as a volunteer, visit the website or call the KATS office at (250) 763-5287. People can also contact the Volunteer management team via e-mail at [email protected].

On a personal note, Pushor Mitchell Apple Triathlon media director Jeanette Hoft is thrilled to welcome her 17-year old nephew Calvin Quirk, Australian team member, to Kelowna for the first time. "I was very excited to be selected as a Junior Elite member to the Australian team," says Quirk. "Not only does this provide me with an opportunity to see Canada when I participate in the ITU Triathlon World Championships in Edmonton but participating in the Pushor Mitchell Apple Triathlon provides me with the opportunity to see my Canadian family for the first time in four years. With many of our events starting off with a wavy sea swim in Australia, I have heard good things about Okanagan Lake and look forward to a competitive freshwater swim."

The Pushor Mitchell Apple Triathlon starts on Friday with the Gennext Aquathon, Apple Peel Undies Fun Run and an 1.5 kilometre Kelowna Apple Open Water Swim hosted by Okanagan Masters Swim Club. It continues on Saturday with Kids of Steel, the Try-a-Tri, U-16 event, Junior Elites, Can-Am Series Paratriathlete Sprint Race and a 5 kilometre open water swim. Sunday sees the Sprint and Olympic distances for teams, age-groupers and paratriathletes, and of course, the highlight event - the Elite Sprint – 2014 Kelowna PATCO Sprint Triathlon Premium Pan American Cup.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jeanette Hoft, Redthirteen Communications
Media Director: 2014 Pushor Mitchell Apple Triathlon
E-mail: [email protected]
Cell: 250-215-3623