Hundreds of athletes are preparing for a triathlon in Penticton this Sunday and while the peach city has hosted a triathlon for decades, this time around, things are much different.
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A variety of shorter races have been taking place since Wednesday because Penticton is hosting the Canadian National Multisport Championships.
The stakes are higher than normal for the athletes, because the national championship races are a qualifier for next year’s ITU Multisport World Championships, which Penticton will host.
“Everyone is always focusing on the one-day event and the reality is all of these athletes are coming in several weeks before, or several months before to train. That’s really where you see a lot of the economic impact,” Penticton mayor Andrew Jakubeit said.
According to Tourism Penticton, in the past, Challenge Penticton has had an economic impact of about $10-million to the immediate area.
With more events and more participants, that number is expected to be much higher this year.
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About a quarter of the 1,600 taking part in the festival will qualify for the world championships next year.
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Organizers said holding the nationals in Penticton is a test run to see how it all goes before the city hosts the worlds next year.
“The multisport championship next year is probably the biggest race any Canadian age grouper could take part in,” triathlete Melanie McQuaid told Global News.
So, while the pressure is on, many athletes are pumped to be taking part, and with so much at stake, they’re ready to put their best foot forward.
“The community is amazing, I just love coming here. It’s wonderful scenery,” said triathlete Elmar Heger.
“Once the gun goes off, I’m definitely getting competitive. It’s really hard for me to dial it back.”
Every triathlete has a unique story and reasons to take on the challenge.
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Roy McBeth said he wouldn’t be racing at the event if it wasn’t for a kidney transplant he received from his boss at the Abbotsford Police Department 18 months ago.
“It’s given me a new lease on life and I’m trying to take full advantage,” McBeth said.
Just minutes after crossing the finish line Friday morning, McBeth set up a booth in Okanagan Lake Park to try and encourage people to register for organ donation.
“I’d like to set an example and show people that their gift can really change someone’s life,” he said.
Organizers said the event is focused just as much on families as it is on the athletes.
“They sacrifice, I think, more than athletes sometimes,” Brown said.
Brown said the event wouldn’t be possible without the army of nearly 1,700 volunteers.
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