Apple Triathlon ran in the smoke

KELOWNA–Athletes competing in Kelowna’s Apple Triathlon had to contend with a smokey haze all around them.

It’s less than ideal conditions for a strenuous day of swimming, cycling and running, but it seems most of the triathletes took the smoke in stride.
“It kept the conditions cool,” says Rhys Spencer, who competed in the race.

“The only downer was you couldn’t see Kelowna from the top of Knox Mountain.  All you saw was smoke.”

About 1,200 people took to the course this year, from juniors and relay teams, to those who went the full Olympic Distance.

While the cooler temperatures were welcome, breathing did get a little tough for some poeple.

“I did see more people walking their bikes up hill.  I’ve never seen that before so I’m sure the smoke was a factor for some people,” says Cammille Guidi-Swan, who placed first in her age group.

It’s the 33rd year for the event and the only other time anyone remembers conditions like this was during the infamous fire season of 2003.
But organizers say they haven’t heard very many complaints.

“It’s not a bad thing unless you have breathing problems, which some people will have,” says Apple Triathlon President Richard Montgomery.

A lot of competitors say they are planning to return next year, hopefully to clearer skies.