The International Triathlon Union (ITU) is pleased to confirm dates for the Penticton 2017 ITU Multisport World Championship Festival. The 10-day event, which will see 5,000 atheltes compete in four separate World Championships - duathlon, aquathlon, cross triathlon & long distance triathlon - will be held from August 18-27. Penticton, B.C. (Canada) has won a bid to host the first edition of the Multisport World Championships.
"For the first time, athletes can compete in more than one Multisport World Championship race in one convenient location, which is an idea we’ve had a great response to both from cities and from age group athletes," said ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado. "Penticton will set the stage for the future of the event. We are very confident in the team’s ability to deliver an exceptional experience that will set the bar of this festival very high."
"There is no better place than Penticton for a multisport championship on this scale," said Michael Brown, Executive Director, Penticton 2017. "The Okanagan has been hosting world-class triathlons for more than 30 years, and this event will cement the region’s reputation as a premier global destination for training and racing."
The international significance of Penticton 2017 means the region will welcome up to 5,000 athletes, thousands of spectators, media and members of the global triathlon family. The economic benefit to the region is expected to be in the millions. Brown’s team is working on a list of events that the community can participate in, and hopes to enlist the famous Penticton Volunteer Army to assist with the event (s).
All four competitions will start and finish in the heart of Penticton, with the epicenter being along the beachfront of Okanagan Lake and Okanagan Lake Park. The spectator friendly courses will feature a variety of terrain and include some of the area’s many vistas, wineries and landmarks, as well the downtown area, with a stadium finish at each race.
In addition to the aquathlon, duathlon, cross triathlon and long distance triathlon World Championship races, participants will be treated to concerts, an athletes village, street dance, race expo, parade of nations, kids races and awards presentations; all of these events adding to the overall atmosphere of the festival.
"Penticton is special because of the long history of triathlon with the community. The people and the tradition of volunteerism in and support of sport," says Les Pereira, President of Triathlon Canada. "We are very proud to be the first country to host this event. The sport of triathlon has its roots deeply entrenched in North America and much of it’s soul is in Canada."
Brown also owns and organizes the Challenge Penticton triathlon each year. This means the local organizing team is familiar with the area, can leverage existing relationships and partnerships, and can use this year’s Challenge Penticton as a test event for the 2017 festival.
For more information about Penticton 2017 World Multisport Championships Festival, head to Penticton2017.com.
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