Ultraman Canada returns to Penticton for summer triathlon challenge

The annual Ultraman Canada triathlon is returning to Penticton on July 24, 25, and 26. The three-day high-endurance race started in 2019 in the Okanagan for both locals and international participants, as it serves as a qualifier for the world championships held in Hawaii each year. The Penticton race is one of 3 qualifying races, next to Ultraman Florida and Ultraman Mexico. Ultraman Hawaii originated in 1983 and has grown its international presence over the years.

Starting on Friday 24, the event opens with a 10km swim from Manitou Park Beach in Naramata to the sands just off Okanagan Lake Park in Penticton at 7:30 AM. Once athletes have completed their swim, they must proceed on bike for a total of 144km starting by going south through Penticton down to Osoyoos, northwest through Keremeos, and then ending back in Okanagan Falls.

Day 2 is 276km entirely on bike, starting at Penticton’s Skaha Lake Park at 7:00 AM. Athletes must head south to Osoyoos and proceed north back into Okanagan Falls. Once there, they head west to Princeton. Once in Princeton, athletes must then go north 31 km and loop back down to Princeton.

On day 3, the final segment of Ultraman Canada, athletes will be performing an 84.4km run just north of Princeton, starting at Separation Lakes at 7:00 AM. Athletes will be running east to Summerland along Princeton-Summerland Road.

This weekend’s weather is expected to be the hottest on Friday with 33-37°C, only slightly cooling off on Saturday and Sunday, 28-32°C. A heatwave is currently being warned for mid-week for the Okanagan, but should pass for the weekend event and thankfully give athletes less harsh weather conditions to compete in.

Barry Berg from Vancouver, BC, won last year’s Ultraman Canada 2025 with a 24:20:45 total time across the 3 days. In 2024, Annett Jen of Penticton, BC, finished first with a total time of 21:39:21 and then proceeded to go on to win the Ultraman Hawaii world championship in the same year.

A full list of detailed maps and schedules is available on Ultraman Canada’s website here.

Locals and drivers are reminded that athletes will be sharing the road this weekend and to drive carefully around the competition areas.