LONDON, ENGLAND: The Professional Triathletes Organisation today announced that it has partnered with Triathlon Canada, the governing body of the sport in Canada, and Trisport Events to provide a professional prize purse along with media and marketing support for The Subaru Chase on 19th June at the Guelph Lake Conservation Area in Ontario.
The professional race will be a “chase” format and see the professional women’s field start a pre-determined, calculated time before the professional men’s field. The PTO will provide a US$15,000 prize purse awarding the top three Professional male and female finishers plus a bonus to the top three overall finishers across the finish line, regardless of gender.
PTO Professionals will be able to earn points towards Collins Cup qualification as well as possibly snag a Captain’s Pick by attracting the attention of legendary Collins Cup Team International Captains, Lisa Bentley and Simon Whitfield with a good performance. The event will be broadcast live on social media with highlights available online a few days after.
Charles Adamo, Executive Chairman of PTO commented, “This race follows an absence of racing opportunities for PTO professionals, Olympians and up-and-coming professional triathletes in Canada. Once again, we are very grateful for the opportunity to be able to provide support to local race organisers who put on display the grit and determination for which our sport is famous. The commitment of Triathlon Canada and race directors like Dave Mucyk of Trisport Events to overcome and host an event in these difficult times demonstrates that united our sport will not be defeated. It is an honour to be part of an event that not only puts on display the resilience of those committed to supporting our sport, but also gives our PTO Professionals in Canada the chance to race and earn points towards Collins Cup qualification.”
Dave Mucyk, Trisport events race director stated, “It will be great to see professionals and amateur athletes unite for this fantastic race. The chase format will bring a unique and exciting twist to racing and give some of the best triathletes in Canada a chance to compete against each other for prize money. We welcome PTO Professionals to the Subaru Chase at Guelph Lake and thank the PTO for their support and Subaru Canada for their continued commitment to this event.”
Kim Van Bruggen, CEO of Triathlon Canada added, “I am thrilled to see an event on the calendar for our pro athletes as part of the 2021 season. The Subaru Chase format will make for an exciting race and we are looking forward to seeing these high calibre athletes in action. As we know, it has been difficult for our athletes to race, so any opportunity to get out there will be a valuable race opportunity for Canadian professionals to sharpen up for the racing season ahead. Thanks to the PTO and TriSport Canada for their support of our athletes in Canada and being innovative in seeking a way to get them back to a start line”.
The Subaru Chase format began over 15 years ago at the Subaru Chase in Muskoka Central Ontario where athletes such as Olympic Gold medal winner Simon Whitfield, multiple Ironman World Champions Craig Alexander and Luc Van Lierde, 11-time Ironman Champion Lisa Bentley, Ironman 70.3 World Champion Sam McGlone and Olympian Colin Jenkins raced down Main Street in an all-out sprint for the top 5. The event weekend is part of the Subaru Triathlon Series and will also offer racing opportunities for age group athletes. More information can be found at www.trisportcanada.com.
About the Professional Triathletes Organisation
The PTO is a not-for-profit entity consisting of professional triathletes who have come together to promote and contribute to the triathlon community and celebrate the sport of Triathlon. A professional representative body is the natural evolution for sport and with its investment partner, Crankstart Investments, the PTO is now able to contribute its resources and the collective voice of professional triathletes to help our sport grow and thrive.