Ottawa to Host 2016 and 2017 Canadian Triathlon Championships and CAMTRI Continental Cup Races

_ (press release) _ Canada’s top triathletes will be swimming, biking and running into the Nation’s Capital Region for the 2016 and 2017 Canadian Sprint and Standard Distance Triathlon Championships, along with the CAMTRI Continental Cup. ** ** “Having the opportunity to host major events in all corners of the country is critical to the growth and future success of our sport across Canada,” said Tim Wilson, chief executive officer, Triathlon Canada. “Eastern Canada is extremely passionate for all Olympic and Paralympic sports. That enthusiasm is no different for triathlon. I can think of no better place to showcase our national championships than in the heart of Canada’s capital city.”

Triathlon Canada made the announcement in partnership with Mayor Jim Watson and the City of Ottawa, along with Ottawa Tourism, on Thursday at Dow’s Lake Pavilion – the host venue of the premiere domestic triathlon race event for the next two years.

“Thanks to the City’s _ Bid More, Win More, Host More _ program, Ottawa residents can look forward to a growing number of high-profile sporting events over the next few years, now including the Canadian Triathlon Championships in both 2016 and 2017, " said Mayor Jim Watson. “That strategy has been incredibly successful in positioning Ottawa as the ideal host city, enhancing our reputation on the world stage and boosting our local economy.”

Greg Kealey will lead an experienced group of professionals, as well as Bytown Storm Triathlon Club, who will form the Ottawa Triathlon’s local organizing committee responsible for staging a total of 10 major races over the two-day sporting festival that promises to bring thousands of visitors to the area:

Canadian Standard Distance Triathlon Championships

Canadian Sprint Distance Triathlon Championships

Canadian Paratriathlon Championships

Ottawa CAMTRI (Confederation American Triathlon)

Triathlon American Cup Canadian Elite Championships (CAMTRI Continental Cup)

Canadian Under-23 Championships (part of CAMTRI Continental Cup)

Canadian Junior Championships and Triathlon Series Event (ages 16-19)

Ottawa Youth Triathlon (ages 13-15)

Canadian Mixed Relay Triathlon Championships

Kid of Steel Triathlons (Under 5-Under 13) ** ** ** ** Richard Price, who has more than five years of international experience working on the World Triathlon Series and at the 2012 Olympic Summer Games in London, will lead the competition team.

Price and his team have developed a spectacular city-based triathlon minutes from Ottawa’s core. Located just three kilometres from Parliament Hill, athletes will dive into Dow’s Lake for a single lap swim. The bike courses will be flat and fast with a 20-kilometre out and back loop. The run will take athletes past many of Ottawa’s top sights and neighbourhoods while winding along the beautiful Rideau Canal and past Carleton University before making a turn to the finish stadium near Hog’s Back Falls.

“Ottawa has a long history of staging successful world-leading events. From the facilities and services available for the athletes to the scenic course Richard and his team has been able to build out on this incredible landscape – this race promises to be a great test for Canada’s best triathletes at all levels,” said Wilson. “It is a fast course. It will be fun and it will be action packed. Even more importantly – it provides great sightlines of all three race disciplines, and will draw visitors to many of the city’s most famous landmarks. The Ottawa Triathlon simply should not be missed.”

To register for the Ottawa Triathlon, or for more information, please visit http://ottawatriathlon.ca .

Triathlon Canada is the governing body for triathlon in the country. Recognized as an Olympic medal sport since 2000 and Paralympic medal sport as of 2016, Triathlon Canada’s mandate is to promote, foster, organize and develop the sport of triathlon, and its related disciplines, in Canada. For more information on Triathlon Canada, please visit us at www.triathloncanada.com .