IRONMAN Canada

IMPORTANT RACE 2023 UPDATE

Based on a province wide state of emergency that has been declared in British Columbia along with the order restricting travel to B.C.'s Southern Interior for those travelling for non-essential purposes and seeking temporary accommodation, we regret to share that the 2023 IRONMAN Canada-Penticton triathlon scheduled to take place on Sunday, August 27, 2023 has been cancelled for the safety of all involved.

Please read the full statement on the IRONMAN Canada website

How to Get Involved

IRONMAN Canada returns to Penticton Aug. 24-28, 2023, attracting thousands of people to our community. This page provides information about how to get involved, where to cheer on the athletes and how to navigate road closures. As always, let’s give the athletes and their supporters a warm welcome – and enjoy the entertainment.

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 on Monday, Aug. 28, with the chance to win prizes.
IRONMAN Canada is still looking to fill many positions with registration available on their website. If you have questions regarding volunteering, email imcanadapenticton@ironmanvolunteers.com.
Volunteer Positions to Fill
IRONMAN is looking to fill these positions, among others:
Bike Aid Station #3 in Osoyoos at Richter Pass - F eel like you are part of the race as the course gets tough the athletes really rely on volunteer support! Hand out water, Gatorade and snacks to athletes when they need the support as they tackle the first big hill climb on the bike course.
Course Marshalls/Crosswalks in Penticton - The late-night shifts need a bit of extra support to help cheer on the athletes who have been on the bike or run course the longest! Positions are located throughout Penticton. Volunteers are at key locations to provide athletes encouragement, point them in the correct direction and help spectators and pedestrians cross the course when there is a safe gap between athletes.
Bike or Run SAG - Get the most up-front seat to the race as you drive along the bike or run course using an IRONMAN vehicle to help transport athletes who are not able to complete the race.
Swim Support - Kayaks, SUP or Safety - The best view of the swim course is from ON the water! Swim Support volunteers are stationed along the course to help guide the athletes along the course.

Sign up as a volunteer
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
- Check out IRONMAN Village (open daily to the public).
- Attend the opening ceremony (Friday, Aug. 25 at 7 p.m.) 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.
- Award ceremony (Monday, Aug. 28, 9:30 a.m.) at Gyro Park.
Visit the IRONMAN Canada website for event details

Race Routes & Road Closures

Be aware that road closures will cause significant delays on race day, Sunday, Aug. 27, including along Lakeshore Drive, Main Street and Skaha Lake Road.

Motorists are advised to use Channel Parkway and Government Street wherever possible.
The best time to cross Main Street on Sunday is between 9:45-11:30 a.m. Avoid crossing Main Street between 1-5 p.m.
Do not park along the race route overnight, including Lakeshore Drive, Vancouver Avenue, Skaha Lake Road, Lee Avenue and Main Street. Any vehicles parked along the route will be towed.

Have questions? Review our list of common Q&As below. If you have traffic-related questions on race day, phone our Call Centre at 250-490-2345 (available Sunday, Aug. 27 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Road Closures Details & Charts

The following chart outlines citywide road closures. Please be aware of the following locations to cross Main Street: Eckhardt Avenue, Duncan Avenue, Industrial Avenue, Warren Avenue, Green Avenue and Yorkton Avenue.

👉 If you are viewing this chart below on a mobile phone, scan to the right to view further details.

Weds, Aug. 23 - Mon, Aug. 28	Between	Time Closed	Reopen (est.)	Impacts
Lakeshore Dr	Winnipeg St and Martin St	5 am	7 pm	Closed for setup, event and takedown

Saturday, Aug. 26	Between	Time Closed	Reopen (est.)	Impacts
Lakeshore Dr	Winnipeg St and Martin St	6 am	11:15 am	Closed for IRONKIDS event. No parking on Lakeshore Drive until 11 am

Sunday, Aug. 27	Between	Time Closed	Reopen (est.)	Impacts
Lakeshore Dr	Riverside Dr to Winnipeg St & Main St to Front St	4 am	1 am Aug. 28	Access to Lakeside Resort and Pier Watersports from Veterans Way on Front St
Burnaby Avenue	Riverside Dr to Winnipeg St and Main St to Front St	12:30 pm	Midnight
Winnipeg St	Lakeshore Dr and Westminster Ave	4 am	1 am Aug 28	Access to properties will be provided from Churchill Ave.
Martin St	Lakeshore Dr and Westminster Ave	4 am	1 am Aug 28	Local access only.
Vancouver Ave W	Lakeshore Dr and Grandview Ave	11:30 am	7:30 pm	Access to the north side will be limited. Local access only. Detours will be available.
Vancouver Place		11:30 am	7:30 pm	Access restricted to local residents only during the event.
Main St and Skaha Lake Road	Fron Skaha Lake north of Lee Ave to Main St	4 am	Midnight	Resident access to properties without rear or alley access will be communicated in advance of the race.
Skaha Lake Road	Channel Parkway to Kinney Ave	6 am	Midnight	Resident access only. Detour via Channel Parkway.
Lee Avenue	Skaha Lake Rd to South Main St	6 am	10:30 am	Southbound lane will be closed during the outgoing bike segment. Local access only.
East Side Road / McLean Creek Road	Southbound lane closure	6 am	10:30 am	Southbound lane will be closed during the outgoing bike segment. Local access only.

Here are some tips to help:
- Drivers are recommended to use Channel Parkway or Government Street wherever possible.
- Be aware that the best time to cross Main Street on Sunday is between 9:45-11:30 a.m. Avoid crossing Main Street between 1-5 p.m.
- 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
Crossings will be facilitated with RCMP and traffic control personnel at:
- Eckhardt Avenue
- Duncan Avenue
- Industrial Avenue
- Warren Avenue
- Green Avenue
- Yorkton Avenue
Be aware that the best time to cross Main Street on Sunday is between 9:45-11:30 a.m. However, avoid crossing Main Street between 1-5 p.m.
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
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. 27? 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!
Download this poster to print off for your customers

Have Questions?

Below are some of the most commonly asked questions from throughout the community. If your question is not answered below, please call the City's Call Centre at 250-490-2345 (available to take your calls on Sunday, Aug. 27 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Crossings will be facilitated with RCMP and traffic control personnel at:
- Eckhardt Avenue
- Duncan Avenue
- Industrial Avenue
- Warren Avenue
- Green Avenue
- Yorkton Avenue
Be aware that the best time to cross Main Street on Sunday is between 9:45-11:30 a.m. However, avoid crossing Main Street between 1-5 p.m.

Important Information for Residents

This mailout was sent to every residential address in Penticton and is on display at City facilities plus the Lakeside Resort and Penticton Seniors' Centre.

Download a printable version of the mailout here

About IRONMAN Canada in Penticton

In 1983, the first North American IRONMAN was born – right here in Penticton – and that race changed the IRONMAN triathlon community forever. Penticton is now known as one of the world’s premier triathlon host communities – and a bucket list destination for IRONMAN athletes all over the world.

The iconic event returned to Penticton in 2022, following the traditional single-loop course with a 3.8-kilometre swim in Okanagan Lake, a 180-km bike ride through Osoyoos and Keremeos, followed by a 42.2-km run to finish along Lakeshore Drive in downtown Penticton.

Visit the IRONMAN Canada-Penticton official webpage

IRONMAN Canada mural

The City in 2022 unveiled an IRONMAN Canada outdoor mural near Okanagan Lake, created by Jomae Arts. The artwork is now displayed on the west wall of the building at 185 Lakeshore Drive, which faces the triathlon event’s historic swim start.

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

Popular Links

Alerts