Penticton is gearing up to welcome a record number of participants to the Peach Classic Triathlon this weekend, with more than 1,000 athletes set to compete in one of British Columbia's longest-running triathlon events.

Hosted by the Penticton Triathlon Club, this event takes place on both Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19, bringing swimmers, cyclists and runners to courses throughout Penticton and Naramata.

Residents and visitors should plan for a particularly busy downtown core on Saturday morning, as the Peach Classic Triathlon coincides with the Penticton Farmers' Market, Downtown Community Market and Art in the Park at Gyro Park. With temporary road closures in place on Lakeshore Drive and limited parking, consider alternative modes of transportation or consider travelling after 11:15 a.m.

To safely accommodate the event, 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 such as 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.

Anyone travelling downtown on Saturday or Sunday morning should expect increased traffic volumes, parking congestion and impacts from the rolling road closures along Lakeshore Drive.

Access to Lakeside Resort and Pier Water Sports will be available from Main Street.

Consider alternative forms of transportation, with a free bike valet service available Saturday at Gyro Park from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.