Ready to race, with smoke

The Kelowna Apple Triathlon is expected to go ahead as scheduled, for now.

Athletes will have to battle more than just their competition, as smoke is expected to linger over the city this weekend.

Race director Susie Ernsting says the final call to delay, shorten or cancel the race will occur one hour before the start.

“We are setting up as if the race is a go,” she said Thursday. “Athlete safety is the number one priority, and we are watching the weather closely.”

Metrics provided by Health Canada and local health officials are influencing the decision.

“We have set guidelines for when we would run the race as scheduled, when we would run the race to a modified schedule, so maybe everyone would compete in a shorter distance race, and the worst case would be delay or cancel the event,” said Ernsting.

Athletes who have asthma have reached out to race officials, but Ernsting says athletes should consult with their doctors to see if it is in their best interest to race.

“Some people have opted to reduce to a shorter distance, and we’ve made that an option at package pick up on Saturday,” she said.

Healthcare professionals, including Dr. Paddy McCluskey – Triathlon Canada’s team physician and the Chief Medical Officer at CSI Pacific – have counselled race officials to consider adjustments to the race schedule based on the following air quality levels:

• AQHI 9-10+:  event delayed or cancelled if conditions don't improve
• AQHI 7-8: event delayed or shortened
• AQHI <7: no modification

The soldout event has brought 1,400 athletes from all over Canada and the United States.

“We are also hosting the Triathlon Canada National championships and the CAMTRI National Cup,” Ernsting said.

The course will have beefed up medical support at the finish line to help athletes deal with the smoke.

The Air Quality Health Index in the Kelowna region on Wednesday was rated at seven, which is considered high risk. Air quality varies with wind changes, precipitation and altering weather patterns – making it difficult to predict the air quality on race day. 

Saturday’s course is in the heart of downtown Kelowna, with the swim in Okanagan Lake and cycle course around Dilworth Mountain.