Lovin’ The Elevator: unique adventure sport relay race

A team featuring athletes from both Penticton and Kelowna finished first overall in the six-stage Elevator Race, Saturday.

Presented by Hoodoo Adventures, the 52-kilometre race from the shores of Okanagan Lake to Apex Mountain Resort was a relay which combined boat padding, road cycling, mountain running, snowshoeing, mountain biking and alpine skiing.

Taking top honours was the Swagman team which featured the talents of Dave Michael and Jen Annett, both from Penticton, along with Kelowna athletes Leanne Stanley, Jeff Sanz, Peter Watson and Severain Nowak.

The team finished in four hours, 14 minutes, 58 seconds, less than a minute ahead of runners-up Team Here for the Beer, which crossed in 4:15.28. Eckhardt Dental was third overall at 4:25.58.

Here for the Beer featured Penticton residents Chris Neenan, Ryan Taylor, Mike Bartier, Stu Pahkola and Tyson Bull. Eckhardt Dental, also from Penticton, was a duo and featured Tom Evans and Geoffrey Waterman.

In total, there were 27 teams of up to seven members plus three solo participants for a total of 137 athletes.

Kevin Cutjar was the first solo participant to cross the finish line, placing seventh overall in 5:13.40. Scott Bauer was second and Glen Noble-Herarle third. The sixth annual Elevator Race was the final event in a four-race series. Hoodoo’s Lyndie Hill said $2,000 was raised from the four races for the Youth Outdoor Recreation Society.

KENDRA CHAPPELL/Special to The Herald Paddlers take to the cold waters of Okanagan Lake in the first stage of The Elevator on Saturday morning. At right, brothers Patrick and Ben Geertz from the Salty’s Youngens, a youth team, work together during The Elevator.

KENDRA CHAPPELL/Special to The Herald Steve Burrows of the winning Swagman team prepares to tag a team member after completing the snowshoe and running stage of The Elevator.

KENDRA CHAPPELL/Special to The Herald The Swagman team poses for a photo at Apex Mountain Resort after winning the sixth annual Elevator relay race, Saturday. From left, Leanne Stanley, Jen Annett, Jeff Sanz, Dave Michael, Peter Watson and Severin Nowak.