Penticton Peach Classic reaches record registrations as race weekend nears

There are over 1,000 competitors signed up for the 2026 event

Penticton Peach Classic reaches record registrations as race weekend nears Published 12:53 pm Tuesday, July 14, 2026 The Penticton Peach Classic Triathlon continues to break its own record for competitors, as more than 1,000 are expected to compete over July 18 and 19. This is the second year in a row of record-high participation in the event, hosted by the Penticton Triathlon Club.

More than 780 registered in 2025. It’s a promising sign of continued growth and popularity in the wake of other events pulling out of the city in recent years, namely Ironman Canada and Okanagan Granfondo. The 780 registered athletes in 2025 dwarfed the 444 who signed up for the 2024 triathlon, which itself broke the record of 344 athletes in the 2015 event.

The event brings in many local competitors, as well as athletes from across Canada and beyond, with a large number of regular entrants. In 2025, competitors were returning from as far back as participating in the first Peach Classic in 1983. The City of Penticton issued a reminder for residents to be aware of the competition and its impacts on traffic over the two days of competition.

Saturday morning will be particularly packed, as the Peach Classic Triathlon coincides with the Penticton Farmers’ Market, Downtown Community Market and Art in the Park at Gyro Park. The City is advising people to take alternative modes of transportation or consider travelling after 11:15 a.m., as there will be road closures in place and limited parking available. Sections of Lakeshore Drive will be closed from 5:30 a.m. each day and reopen in waves, with all routes expected to reopen by 11:15 a.m.

Athletes will begin their swim at Rotary Park Beach before transitioning to cycling and running routes through Penticton and toward Naramata. Cyclists will travel up Vancouver Hill and along Middle Bench Road and Naramata Road, while runners will use portions of city streets and the KVR Trail. Cyclists and runners will share the roadway for much of the course between Penticton and Naramata.

Professional traffic control personnel will be stationed throughout the route, including at key locations on Vancouver Hill, Middle Bench Road and Naramata Road. Event signage will be posted, and temporary no-parking restrictions will be in effect in select downtown areas. Drivers are reminded to slow down, use caution, follow the directions of traffic flaggers and watch for cyclists and runners on and near roadways.

The full Peach Classic Triathlon schedule is available at peachclassic.ca and the full list of results from the Peach Classic will be available at sportstats.com.