Apple Triathlon only 50 days to go!

There are just over 50 days left before Canada’s top triathletes descend on Kelowna for the 28th annual Pushor Mitchell Kelowna Apple Triathlon (August 20-22) to participate in the Canadian National Triathlon Championships, the ITU Pan American Cup and the Western Canadian Kids of Steel Youth Championships. Last year’s event saw record participation of more than 1,600 entries.

Lauren Groves and Simon Whitfield were the 2009 Canadian National Championship Elite gold winners and also winners of the ITU Pan American Cup. Whitfield came in ahead of Kyle Jones and Paul Tichelaar, with Brent McMahon in fourth position.

In the Female Elite event, Groves was followed by Kathy Tremblay with 21 year-old Paula Findlay, double winner in 2008 in the Junior Elite and Elite competitions, in third position.

Findlay is excelling in international triathlon circles, winning her first World Cup race in Mexico last month, and finishing fourth in the prestigious Hy-Vee World Cup race in Des Moines, Iowa two weeks ago. Findlay continued her excellent performance clocking a winning time of 2:03:37 on June 26, winning the ITU Pan American Cup Triathlon Race in Quebec.

21 year old Paula Findlay celebrating at the 2009 Pushor Mitchell Kelowna Apple Triathlon (Photo:Digital Wonders) 

Canada’s elite triathletes will be back in action on July 18 when the ITU World Championship Series resumes in Hamburg, Germany.

The Pushor Mitchell Kelowna Apple Triathlon however caters for all ages and stages. Organizations can challenge each other in the Business Challenge Sprint Relay and swimmers have the opportunity to participate in the FINA 1.5km and 5km Open Water Swims. The following events are taking place:

Sunday, August 15 to Friday, August 20

• Kids of Steel Kids Camp Mon. Aug. 16 - Fri. Aug. 20
• Kids of Steel Teen Camp Sun. Aug. 15 - Thurs. Aug. 19

Friday, August 20

• Aquathon (FREE for all Sunday triathletes)
• FINA 1.5 km Open Water Swim

Saturday, August 21

• Try-a-Tri ( for Novices and First Timers ages 19 +)
• Kids of Steel Youth (ages 8 to 19)
• Junior Elite Sprint (ages 16 to 19)
• FINA Open Water Swim 5km

Sunday, August 22

• Sprint (Adult Age Groupers only)
• Olympic (Adult Age Groupers, Relay & AWAD)
• Business Challenge Sprint Relay
• Elite Race

For more information on participating or volunteering visit us at www.appletriathlon.com. 

Make sure you register early as Sunday entrants will be limited to the first 1,200!

Triathlon Canada is the governing body for triathlon in Canada. Recognized as an Olympic medal sport since 2000, Triathlon Canada’s mandate is to promote, foster, organize and develop the sport of triathlon, and its related disciplines, in Canada. For more information on Triathlon Canada, please visit www.triathloncanada.com .

Written by Jeanette Hoft