Ultra520K Canada right around the corner on August long weekend
Once again over the B.C. Day long weekend in August, the South Okanagan and Similkameen will play host to one of the most challenging endurance events in North America.
Ultra520K Canada is a unique, individual, three-day event consisting of 520 kilometres of swimming, biking and running.
This year’s event — set for Aug. 4-6 — marks the 18th running since its inception in 1993. It will be dedicated to the memory of Penticton’s Bruce Schoenne, who recently passed away after a battle with liver cancer.
Schoenne twice participated in the event and was a big supporter and part of the videography crew for the last few years. Athletes will be asked to wear arm bands in Schoenne’s memory during the race, which is co-sponsored by Ride to Survive, one of Schoenne’s favourite charities and one in which he participated for a number of years.
The 2018 race by the numbers: 32 athletes (12 women, 20 men) from nine different countries including Canada (11), the United States (10), Costa Rica (3), Australia and Guatemala (2 each), and Spain, the United Kingdom, Mexico and France (1 each). Nine of the athletes are returning to the race for at least a second time.
In order to be invited to this demanding endurance race, competitors must complete at least an iron-distance race (226.3 km) in under 14.5 hours during the last 18 months.
Locally, Dave Matheson a previous champion and course record holder, is returning but will be solidly challenged by Arno Selukov from France, another champ who won in Australia and finished third in Hawaii against a very strong field.
“We believe this is going to be the race within the race,” said race director Steve Brown. “These are two guys that can go fast and hold the pace for all three days. This will be an exciting race and should go down to the wire on the last day of competition.”
Katie Welton of the U.K. and Michele Turner from the U.S. are both capable of high overall finishes. Ginny Sellars of Vernon is a returning athlete that knows this course, as is Suzy Serpico from the U.S. — all are motivated to improve and leave their mark on the race.
Tony Buckingham of Penticton is also in the field and Rory Bass of Kelowna was scheduled to start this year but had a serious bike accident a few weeks ago and was forced to withdraw.
Day 1 (Sat., Aug. 4) begins with a 10 km swim in Skaha Lake from Penticton to Sovereign Road near Okanagan Falls. Athletes then face a 149.8 km bike ride through the South Okanagan, over the Richter Pass, and ending back in Kenyon Park in OK Falls.
Day 2 (Sunday) continues with the competitors cycling a 274.2 km bike route from Penticton to Osoyoos. They return to OK Falls, then climb “The Wall” to Willowbrook and Twin Lakes on their way to Princeton where they complete an out and back section along the Old Hedley Road to finish at the Princeton Arena.
Day 3 (Monday) completes the event with an 84.4 km double-marathon run from Princeton to Summerland along the Old Princeton-Summerland Road. The athletes finish at Memorial Park in Summerland.
Local residents are invited to witness the end of all stages as follows: Day 1/Stage 1, 10 km swim, Sovereign Road Boat Launch just off eastside road starting at approximately 8:30 a.m.; Day 1/Stage 1, 149 km bike, Kenyon Park, Okanagan Falls, first finisher will be approximately 2:30 p.m.; Day 2/Stage 2 275 km bike, Princeton Arena, approximately 3:30 p.m.; Day3/Stage 3 84.4 km run, Memorial Park, Summerland approximately 2:30 p.m.
Alternatively, the event can be followed on Facebook Live with streaming from all the finish areas.
Brown said the local community has been “incredibly supportive” of this event, most notably the District of Summerland, Town of Princeton, OK Falls Parks & Recreation, Speedo, F2C Nutrition, Hoodoo Adventures, Peach City Runners, Black Iron Grill, H2O 4U, and Natures Fare Markets.
To learn more, visit ultra520kcanada.com or contact Brown at 250-809-1798.