Steve King Joins Challenge Penticton

Challenge Penticton is proud to announce that Steve King, the renowned announcer of iron-distance athletes, will be the voice calling finishers across the line in Penticton again for 2013.

“We are so happy that Steve King has agreed to continue his long-standing tradition of welcoming athletes to the finishing line in Penticton,” said Paul McCann, chair of the Challenge Penticton board of directors. “Challenge Penticton is about enhancing the athlete experience, and Steve King plays a huge part in that.”

King is an avid runner and triathlete who has held six national age group records, has raced iron-distance and Ultraman races and has been a member of Canada’s national 100-kilometre team. In 1997, he was the first B.C. runner to finish in the B.C. Marathon Championships, and posted wins in the Kamloops 50-km and the Haney-to-Harrison 100-km events. In 2001, he became only the second Canadian ever to finish the 135-mile Death Valley race.

To triathletes in Penticton, Steve King is best known for his voice, his commitment to the sport and incredible breadth of knowledge regarding the field of athletes. Spectators flock to hear him call out athletes’ names as they emerge from the swim, move through transition and cross the finish line.

“I am honoured to be asked to continue in the commentating role,” said King. “I am very proud of what Penticton has done for triathlon and its commitment to provide a challenging course, support for charities, community involvement and the best possible race experience for the athletes, volunteers, spectators and sponsors alike.”

Steve King was the publisher of Tri-Fit Quarterly, a national triathlon magazine, author of a triathlon training log, the book Rapid Recovery and the co-editor of Running in the Zone and a CBC colour commentator for the sport of triathlon, and has been the announcer in Penticton for 30 years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTx0ON-KHVg&feature=youtu.be

Laura Carleton selected as the Manager of Race Operations for Challenge Penticton

Challenge Penticton is proud to announce that Laura Carleton will return to iron distance race management in 2013 as the Manager of Race Operations for the inaugural Challenge Penticton race.

“Laura brings a wealth of experience in race operations, a deep understanding of the Penticton course and a strong commitment to the local triathlon community. In every way Laura epitomizes the values that the Challenge race series stands for,” said Paul McCann, Challenge Penticton board chair. “Her expertise will ensure we can deliver a safe and successful race, and we’re so incredibly happy to have her as part of our team.”

Carleton entered the race operations world by volunteering. She served as a volunteer captain many years ago, before joining Ironman Canada Race Society’s board of directors in 2003. She served as the director of 25 bike and run aid stations for the iron-distance event until 2009, and was the volunteer co-ordinator of the race from 2010 to 2012. She was the race director in 2011 and 2012.

Her commitment to the sport is not limited to iron-distance triathlon, as well. Carleton was the 2012 volunteer co-ordinator for the Valley First Axel Merckx Granfondo, and is the co-race director of the Bare Bones Duathlon. She is the president of the Penticton Triathlon Club, and has also obtained her Level 1 TriBC official designation.

“I am truly honoured to be joining the Challenge Family and helping build the inaugural North American race,” said Carleton. “I am passionate about this sport and very much look forward to carrying on the great tradition of triathlon in Penticton and the south Okanagan.”

Born and raised in Penticton, Carleton is married to four-time iron-distance finisher James Palanio and the mother to future triathletes Olivia and Sophia.

The Manager of Race Operations will report to the Challenge Penticton General Manager. The board is currently recruiting for this General Manager position.