Wayne Little and his training partner Dave Prentice were on their way to Pavilion Lake one day when they got an idea.

"We were driving out there to train one day, and (Prentice) said, 'We should start a triathlon out there," Little said. "I thought, 'That's a good idea.' So I did."

And, thus, the Pavilion Triathlon was created.

Little is the race director for the Pavilion Triathlon, which is scheduled for Sept. 16. The sprint-distance event - featuring a 750-metre swim, a 20km bike and a 5km run - will begin at 11 a.m., and will utilize Pavilion Lake and Highway 99.

It actually will be the second triathlon held out there, but the first official one.

With his 'good idea' in mind, Little invited 15 of his triathlete friends out for a fun race last fall.

"We did it to see what kind of feedback we would get," Little said. "Everyone said that it could be a real thing."

So Little got on the phone with the Kamloops Triathlon Club, to see if it would be interested in holding a fall triathlon. Before this year, the KTC had only held one triathlon a year - the Spring Sprint in Westsyde.

"I talked to the Kamloops Triathlon Club, and they wanted a triathlon in the fall," Little said. "We got together and decided to make it happen."

Little said the athletes who plan to take part in the Pavilion Triathlon will have spectacular views during all three events.

The swim will be held in Pavilion Lake, which is full of 'crazy clear' water. On clear days, people in the water can look below and see unmatched views of freshwater microbialites on the lake bottom.

The bike and run portions of the Pavilion Triathlon are to be held on Highway 99.

"It's very quiet at that time of year," Little said. "It's quiet and really peaceful."

The highway parts of the race are mostly flat, although there will be a few hills on the ride.

The course is "more scenic than challenging," Little said.

"We're looking for somebody who has never done a triathlon and is looking for a low-key event, with no pressure and lots of fun," Little added. "And also, people who are still in their peak weights and are looking for a season-best to finish with."

To sign up, visit the KTC's website, www.trytri.org.

mhunter@kamloopsnews.ca