After a decade-long absence, Ironman Canada triathlon returns to Penticton

More than 2,000 athletes will be in the South Okanagan this weekend for the Ironman Canada Triathlon.

Penticton hasn't hosted the event since 2012. The race was moved to Whistler for eight years and then cancelled twice due to the COVID pandemic.  The gruelling race features a 3.8 kilometre swim followed by 180 km of cycling and then a 42 km run.

The City of Penticton is reminding residents and visitors there'll be large crowds and street closures on race day, Sunday, Aug. 29.

Road closures are expected to cause significant delays on Lakeshore Drive, Main Street and Skaha Lake Road. The Channel Parkway is recommended wherever possible. Closures start at 4 a.m. Sunday and last until 1 a.m. the following day.

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Main Street will be busiest between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. as runners and cyclists will both be using the road. Between 9:45 and 11:30 a.m. there will be better opportunities to cross the road. The cyclist portion of the course takes athletes as far south as Osoyoos.

A full list of road closures can be found online here.

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The Ironman Village at Rotary Park in Penticton will be open for three days beginning at 10 a.m., Friday, Aug. 26, with a welcome ceremony at 7 p.m.

The IronKids Canada Fun Run at Rotary Park begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 27.

The race starts at 5 a.m. on Sunday at Okanagan Lake Park and the winner is expected to finish around 3 p.m.

There will be a celebration breakfast and award ceremony in Gyro Park beginning at 8 a.m.

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