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Apple tri draws a crowd

This year the Kelowna Apple Triathlon was also the Elite National Championship and Elite Junior National Championship, adding hundreds more athletes to the mix. The race took place on Sunday, Aug.

This year the Kelowna Apple Triathlon was also the Elite National Championship and Elite Junior National Championship, adding hundreds more athletes to the mix.

The race took place on Sunday, Aug. 17 with Olympic and sprint distances, a Kids of Steel race, an adult Try-a-Tri, and, for good measure, a 5,000 metre open water swim competition.

While Canada’s most elite triathletes were in Beijing — Simon Whitfield following up his gold in 2000 with a silver in 2008 — Canada’s other top athletes faced off on an Olympic distance course (1,500 metre swim, 40 km bike, 10 km run). On the men’s side, Brent McMahon of Victoria was first overall in one hour, 54 minutes and 45 seconds, followed by American Ethan Brown in 1:56:18, and Ontario’s A.P. Baillargeon Smith in 1:56:38.

Paula Findlay of Edmonton won the women’s event in 2:08:35, followed by Kerry Spearing in 2:11:40, and Tenille Hoogland in 2:12:33.

Several Whistler athletes competed in the age groups.

John Blok was the top Whistler athlete, placing 186 th overall and 14 th in the male 50 to 54 race in 2:31:39.

Christina McKean was 270 th overall and 13 th in the female 25 to 29 race in 2:40:20.

In the sprint race (750 metre swim, 20 km bike, five km run), Michael Adams placed second overall in 1:04:28. Iain Adams was seventh in the men’s 45 to 49 category in 1:23:40.

Karin Kafkova was fifth in female 30 to 34 in 1:29:22.

Maridee Fitch was eighth in female 45 to 45 in 1:49:10.

Kai Riess of Pemberton competed in the Kids of Steel 14 to 15 race (300 metre swim, 15 km bike, three km run), placing 13 th in 54:55.