Penticon's Ironman swim and bike courses were ranked among the best in North America by the athletes who competed in 2022.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Ironman
February 14, 2024 - 11:25 AM
A new event is coming to one of the world's ultimate endurance triathlon races in Penticton this summer.
After last year's Penticton Ironman triathlon was cancelled due to an extreme wildfire season but the race is back in August with a new event called Ironman 70.3, which is also known as a Half Ironman, according to an Ironman Canada media release issued today, Feb. 14.
The Half Ironman will begin with a 1.9 kilometre swim in the Okanagan Lake. Athletes will then leave the water and head straight to their bikes to cycle a 91.5 kilometre course through the Okanagan Valley, passing by local wineries, up and over mountains, and eventually making their way back to Penticton.
After that, there's just a half Ironman marathon left to complete.
Athletes will set foot on a 21-kilometre scenic run along the Kettle Valley Trail and Okanagan Lake before they cross the finish like on Lakeshore Drive in downtown Penticton.
“The addition of the IRONMAN 70.3 event to Penticton is great news for athletes and the community,” Julius Bloomfield, the Mayor of Penticton, said in the release.
“For athletes, it’s a chance to accomplish an incredible feat in one of the competition’s most iconic settings. For the community, it’s an opportunity to welcome more athletes, more support team members and more spectators to town so we can show off everything Penticton has to offer. This is a win-win for all involved.”
Ironman returned to Penticton in 2022 after a 10 year break.
This year, the 70.3 event will be part of the VinFast Ironman North America Series course.
“We are thrilled to bring the IRONMAN 70.3 Canada triathlon back and have it join the iconic IRONMAN Canada event for an unforgettable weekend of racing in Penticton. This venue has become one of the most thrilling destinations and sought after experiences on the global IRONMAN circuit in part due to the amazing support from the community and volunteers,” Tim Brosious, Regional Director at The IRONMAN Group, said.
“Penticton has played a prominent role in the history of IRONMAN, and we know athletes will enjoy getting the opportunity to race an IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon through the stunning landscapes and challenging terrain that the Okanagan Valley has to offer.”
The race will take place on Sunday, Aug. 25, and will offer qualifying slots for the 2025 VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship.
More information about the race can be found here.
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