FILE PHOTO - Ironman Canada announces the return of the race to Penticton in July, 2019. Organizers announced official postponement of the race until 2021 today, May 15, 2020.
(STEVE ARSTAD / iNFOnews.ca)
May 15, 2020 - 12:55 PM
It’s official — Penticton Ironman will not take place this year.
Ironman Canada made the announcement today, May 15, saying the race, originally scheduled to take place on Aug. 30, cannot proceed under pandemic precautions expected to remain in place well into summer.
Athletes that have registered for the race will receive an email with further details, Ironman Canada says.
“In what has been a continually evolving and challenging time globally, we recognize that this may come as a disappointment but look forward to providing athletes with an exceptional race in the future,” the organization stated.
The City of Penticton also expressed its disappointment in a press release issued this afternoon.
“We are very disappointed for the athletes, volunteers and our community to miss out on such an important and exciting event, but we must prioritize the health and safety of all those involved,” Penticton Mayor, John Vassilaki said. “We look forward to welcoming Ironman Canada home to Penticton in 2021."
This was to be the year the race returned to Penticton, after it moved to Whistler for 2013.
Penticton officials and residents alike welcomed the race back in an official announcement ceremony last July.
Attempts to substitute the race with other brands failed to meet expectations for revenue and participation in the intervening years after Ironman left the city.
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