New Title Sponsor for Ironman Canada Qualifiers

03.26.2007

Outback Events is thrilled to announce that Persona Communications has signed on as the Title sponsor for both the Oliver Half Iron and the Desert Half Iron for 2007.

“We are very excited about this new partnership with Persona,” said Race Director Joe Dixon.  “Persona will be broadcasting throughout race week in the local communities as well as putting together a 10 minute race video after the event.  This video will be available to view from our website and athletes will be able to download a copy.  Persona Communications  is partnering with Outback Events to make two of Canada ’s best triathlons even better for our athletes and we’re thrilled.”

Persona Communications is currently the 5^th largest cable television provider in Canada as well the largest provider of cable and broadband services to rural and non-urban markets now serving customers in more than 1,200 communities.

Through its media division the Company further extends this commitment with award winning television broadcasting operations including 100% local community channel promoting local events and causes.

The Persona Oliver Half Iron is in its fourth year in Oliver , BC .  This year’s race sold out in last October and will see a record number of athletes in Oliver race weekend.  The race features a $4,200 prize purse, 15 Subaru Ironman Canada qualifying spots and the return of the “voice of Ironman Canada ” Steve King.  The race begins with a two lap swim in spring-fed Tuc-el-nuit Lake followed by a rolling bike course around the Town of Oliver past all 24 Oliver wineries and is followed by a two lap run course finishing at Rotary Beach.

The Persona Desert Half Iron is in its third year in Osoyoos , BC .  This year the race will host the 2007 Canadian Long Course Championships.  A full field of 650 athletes is expected this year as both the 2005 and 2006 races were sold out.  The race features a $5,000 prize purse and one of the most challenging and epic bike portions of any triathlon in Canada .  The race begins at Legion beach with a two lap swim and then an epic ride up the Richter Pass and out over the rollers to Cawston and back to Osoyoos.  The run course is two loops alongside Lake Osoyoos .   This year the race will again serve as an Ironman Canada qualifier with 25 available spots and Steve King will be back to announce the race.  

“These events certainly showcase the natural beauty of the Oliver and Osoyoos regions,” says Mike Cabigon, Vice President and General Manager for Persona Communications, “but they also demonstrate a strong community spirit. Persona is proud to support the local volunteers as well as the athletes from across North America who makes the Persona Oliver Half Iron and Persona Desert Half Iron world-class events.”

Outback Events Ltd. is a Kelowna , BC based Sports Management Company owned and operated by Joe and Sarah Dixon since 2002.  Outback Events own the Cultus Lake Triathlon, “Wine Capital of Canada” Sprint Tri, the Persona Oliver Half Iron, Persona Desert half Iron and the Fall Winefest run.  On top of these events, Joe is also the race director at Subaru Ironman Canada .