IRONMAN Canada

How to Get Involved

• Register as an Athlete

  IRONMAN has added another race to its roster for Penticton this summer: the IRONMAN 70.3 Canada half-distance race. Both races will take place on the same day (Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024). In addition, the IRONKIDS Fun Run will take place on Saturday, Aug. 24. 

  Visit their official website to find out more and to register.

• Register Your Kids for the IRONKIDS Fun Run

  This special race kicks off at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24, open to ages 1-17. Distances include the toddler trot (500m), 1KM (ages 3-8) and 2KM (ages 5-17). One parent can run with their child for free.

  Registration includes a t-shirt, medal, goodie bag and matching racing bibs for the child and parent. Find out more and register at ironman.com/im-canada-register.

  Sign up here

• Sign Up as a Volunteer

  How would you like a front-row seat to the action of IRONMAN Canada? Join in the fun and experience the energy of the day as a member of the volunteer team. Your role can be anything from directing people on the course as a Marshal to handing out medals at the finish line.  

  Volunteers also receive a T-shirt, a meal and snacks, drinks, swag and an invite to the volunteer dinner. 

  IRONMAN Canada will be looking to fill many positions with registration available on their website. If you have questions regarding volunteering, email imcanadapenticton@ironmanvolunteers.com.
   

  Sign up as a volunteer

• Pick Up Your Free Fan Kit

  Let’s line the streets and cheer! We will be handing out free fan kits this summer at the Penticton Farmers' Market. Stay tuned for updates. This kit will include street chalk, fan signs and stickers. 

  

• Grants Available for Volunteer Groups, Teams and Clubs

  The IRONMAN Foundation provides IRONMAN Canada volunteer groups with $40,000 US grant funding, offered to local non-profit groups, teams and clubs that volunteer during the event. The grant values are issued based on the number of volunteers recruited. Groups may also recruit volunteers from outside their organization, such as friends, family or coworkers. 

  Contact the Volunteer Director for more information about how to apply for a grant: imcanadapenticton@ironmanvolunteers.com

• You're also Invited to...

  More details coming soon for the 2024 event.

  • Attend the opening ceremony at Gyro Park, within the IRONMAN Entertainment Garden, with space for 2,000 attendees to revel in the festivities. With live DJs and local beer and wine.
  • Cheer on the athletes along the route, starting with the swim at Rotary Beach, bikes cruising down Main Street and runners finishing on Lakeshore Drive, with the race closing at midnight. Don’t forget the new Entertainment Garden location on Estabrook Avenue, along the race route, as a cheering spot option. 
  • Sign up as a volunteer.
  • Attend the award ceremony at Gyro Park.

  Visit the IRONMAN Canada website for event details

Race Routes & Road Closures

• Allow Extra Time! Tips for Race Day

  Here are some tips to help:

  • Drivers are recommended to use Channel Parkway or Government Street wherever possible. 
  • Do your shopping and errands in advance. 
  • Expect delays. Allow extra time if you need to go across town.
  • Flying out that day? Allow extra time to get to the airport.
  • Catching the bus? Contact BC Transit for scheduling updates.
  • Plan ahead. Know what roads are closed and where you can cross Main Street (see below).
  • Participate in the fun. Get your fan kit and plan to cheer on the athletes. 
  • Be patient and kind with athletes, volunteers, fans, flaggers and event organizers. They are all doing their best to make it a great event.

  Where to cross Main Street

  Crossings will be facilitated with RCMP and traffic control personnel at: 

  • Eckhardt Avenue
  • Duncan Avenue
  • Industrial Avenue
  • Warren Avenue 
  • Green Avenue 
  • Yorkton Avenue 
• How do I Cross Main Street?

  Crossings will be facilitated with RCMP and traffic control personnel at: 

  • Eckhardt Avenue
  • Duncan Avenue
  • Industrial Avenue
  • Warren Avenue 
  • Green Avenue 
  • Yorkton Avenue 

   

• Transit Schedule Changes

  BC Transit's Sunday Route 5 & 16 will be affected. Details will be posted here once available, as well as on BC Transit's website. 

• DO NOT PARK Along the Race Route Saturday or Sunday

  Do not park along the race routes on Saturday night/Sunday morning, including the following streets. If you do, your vehicle will be towed in the early hours of Sunday morning. 

  • Lakeshore Drive
  • Vancouver Avenue
  • Skaha Lake Road
  • Lee Avenue
  • Main Street
• Tips for Local Businesses

  This large-scale event will have a big impact on getting around the city – especially on the day of the event.  Allow extra time!

  • Are you expecting deliveries on Sunday, Aug. 25? Due to extensive road closures on that day, review the materials on this webpage and plan ahead accordingly. 
  • Is your business located along the road closure route? Notify your customers in advance about the potential disruption to access your business. They may wish to complete their shopping in advance or on another day.
  • Expect delays on the roads.

  Thank you for your patience! 

• Map of Run Route

  Updated maps coming soon! 

• Map of Bike Route

  Updated maps coming soon! 

Have Questions?

• When will be the busiest time to cross Main Street?

  Between 1 pm and 5 pm when there are both cyclists and runners on the route.

• When will it be easiest to cross Main Street?

  There is a window between 9:45 and 11 am when there will be no athletes on course. The intersections will still be controlled, however.

• Where can I cross Main Street?

  Crossings will be facilitated with RCMP and traffic control personnel at: 

  • Eckhardt Avenue
  • Duncan Avenue
  • Industrial Avenue
  • Warren Avenue 
  • Green Avenue 
  • Yorkton Avenue 

   

• What bus routes are affected and how?

  Routes 5 and 16 are affected. Visit bctransit.com for more information.

• Is the KVR trail closed along the race route?

  No, you can walk on it, but prepare for lots of foot traffic. Runners will likely be on the trail starting at 11 a.m. and we anticipate the last runner will be through there around 7:30 p.m. 

• I work downtown or at the hospital. How am I supposed to get there?

  We recommend having someone drop you off close where you can walk, or park further away and walk or ride a bike.

• When do the courses close?

  •    Swim course closes at 9:20 am.
  •    Bike course closes at 5:20 pm.
  •    Run course closes at 12 am.
   

• When will the KVR be open?

  We anticipate the last runner will be through there around 7:30 p.m. 

• Will we be able to take Hwy 3A out of town?

  Yes, although traffic patterns will have changed and watch for signage. Anticipate delays. 

• I'm at the Lakeside Resort. How do I get out on Sunday?

  Watch for flaggers at the entrance of the resort to direct you to exit using the Martin Street extension.  Vehicle access will be via Martin Street. Security, volunteers and traffic flaggers will manage vehicle traffic and access through the Martin Street extension. 

  More details coming soon! 

   

• How do I get out of Naramata?

  Your best option to avoid closures is to take Upper Bench Rd to Johnson Road and Haven Hill Road and hook onto Government Street. Be aware of the intersections where you can cross Main Street (Eckhardt is one of them).

Important Information for Residents

About IRONMAN Canada in Penticton

IRONMAN Canada mural

• About the IRONMAN Canada Mural

  ‘Movement & Motion’ is a digital painting created by Jomae, a muralist duo based in the Okanagan. The work features the components of IRONMAN Canada (swim, bike, run and volunteerism), influenced by the feat of training for and competing in a triathlon.  From the very beginning of the swim start, all the way to the cheering finish line, the mural is a celebration of the accomplishment and perseverance of IRONMAN Athletes. The project was funded in part by the Province of B.C. 

  Read the news release