The Summerland ORCA Sprint & Kids of Steel Triathlon has been going for over a decade, but organizers say it is still growing.
“We had a great response,” said Joanne Malar. “People were saying it was the best run triathlon they had seen.”
While Malar credits title sponsors Dirty Laundry Vineyards and Best Canadian Motor Inns, along with all the other corporate sponsors, she is also quick to point to the volunteers as part of the race’s key to success.
“It really took a village to run this race,” she said. “Numbers were very high this year, one of our highest ever.”
With registrations “just shy of 400” as Malar put it, it was a busy day for participants and organizers.
“This triathlon is our biggest fundraiser,” said Malar. “It really has allowed our club to blossom.”
The race, she explained, is really a family event, with categories as young as age six. The focus, she said, is on creating a great, dynamic experience for children entering the sport.
“The cutest are the children. They really are brave,” she said. “Watching them wade into the water at 8:30 in the morning by themselves.”
Top finishers in the six to seven-year-old age group were Maya Andruchow of Kelowna with an overall time of 8:36; Ryan Peters of Penticton, 8:56; Maddox Stevens of Kelowna, 9:07.
In the 8-9 group: Sidney Clement of West Vancouver, 22:06; Ty Johnston of Kelowna, BC, 22:17; Mitchell Bond of Vernon, 22:26.
In 10-11 age group: Heming Sola of Summerland, 24:47; Eli Harris of Kelowna, 25:25; Ella Rolleston of Kelowna, 26:23.
In the 12-13 age group: Cameron McInnes of Kelowna, 38:58; Keagan Ingram of Summerland; Connor Hobbs of Kelowna, 40:44.
In the 14-15 age group: Owen Harris of Kelowna, 45:46; Evan Durrant of Langley, 47:41; Jacob Harris of Kelowna, 48:53.
In the sprint: Graham Hood of Kelowna, 1:00:48; Scott Tremblay of Kaleden, 1:01:55; Gary Wade of Kelowna,1:02:06.