Major triathlon rolls in

Some of the world’s best triathletes have rolled into Penticton for a major race this weekend.

The Super League Triathlon takes place in the city from Friday to Sunday, and features 27 athletes from 10 countries. The women's side has 10 racers while the men's side will see 17.

It’s a unique short-course triathlon, and this weekend will be the first time its ever been in North America.

"This used to be, and still is in my heart, the hub of triathlon in Canada. Penticton is where the sport grew up in Canada... There's just such a rich history," the event's co-founder Chris McCormack said during a media event on Thursday.

With an air quality statement in place, McCormack says they are closely monitoring the smoke, but says he doesn't expect it to impact the event in any way.

"Luckily, for our event it's super sprints. According to the rules, we fit within the amount of exertion time you're allowed to exert yourself in," he says, in regards to air quality regulations.

"You prepare for everything. I've done races where the water's freezing and the air quality's terrible. And I live in Asia, so this is a beautiful clear day in Asia," he quipped. 

Some of the triathletes taking part met the media on Thursday afternoon, including Vancouver-native Nathan Killam, one of four Canadians taking part.

As a new dad and a firefighter, Killam says there hasn't been time for any "fluff and duff" as he's prepared for the high-profile race.

"All those things other people do that basically isn't eating, sleeping, playing with your kid, working or training, I don't really do any of those things anymore. I haven't seen any of my friends, outside of training, since my son was born," Killam says.

"That's kind of life, and if you want to try and follow the dream you just have to make it work."

The event is a qualifier ahead of the Super League’s championship season, which will feature five events around the world beginning next month in Jersey. Other triathlons during the season will take place in Malta, Mallorca, Singapore and Sydney.

"It'll be the richest triathlon series in the history of the sport... So we're throwing a lot of money and time at the professionals in the sport, and I do hope to grow this," McCormack says, who is a four-time world triathlon champion himself.