Triathlon Canada Heads Back to Kelowna for 2019 Canadian Triathlon Championships
—Kelowna Apple Triathlon to host nation’s best, July 6-7—
VICTORIA—The nation’s top triathletes will be heading back to Kelowna, B.C. for the Canadian Triathlon Championships, Triathlon Canada announced on Friday.
The prestigious Kelowna Apple Triathlon, which was cancelled this past summer due to poor Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) as a result of more than 560 forest fires, will bring the Triathlon Canada Nation back to the Okanagan Valley to determine the kings and queens of Canadian triathlon next summer.
Race officials have moved the event to an earlier spot on the summer’s race calendar and will now take place, July 6-7.
“We are thrilled to return to one of Canada’s most coveted triathlon venues for our National Championships,” said Kim Van Bruggen, chief executive officer, Triathlon Canada. “This is the lone event of the year that brings all of us in the Triathlon Canada Nation together, and I can’t think of a better location to hold the premiere event on our domestic race schedule than Kelowna, which has a rich history in staging world-leading triathlon events. We hope to see our nation’s best back on the start line in early July—staying clear of the worst of forest fire season.”
Canada’s elite triathletes will once again join age group athletes from coast-to-coast-to-coast to compete in a variety of races for all ages and abilities throughout the two-day festival where they will earn ITU qualification points. National champions will be crowned in para, sprint and standard distance triathlon races. An ITU CAMTRI Continental Cup race, which will include athletes from North, South and Central America, will be held to determine the Canadian elite champions. The Apple will also provide race opportunities for kids, youth, junior and adult Try-a-Tri races.
“We are very excited to welcome athletes back to Kelowna in July for the 36th Apple Triathlon,” said Race Director, Susie Ernsting. “We worked hard this fall to find a date outside of the forest fire season and would like to thank the City of Kelowna, Triathlon Canada and Triathlon BC for working with us on this endeavour. We have a great venue and courses for the athletes and look forward to seeing them all race on the streets of Kelowna in early July.”
With Canada hosting the 2020 World Championships in Edmonton, the 2019 Canadian Triathlon Championships will be a significant qualifier for that event.
For more information: Kelowna Apple Triathlon.
