IRONMAN Canada

How to Get Involved

• Pick Up Your Free Fan Kit

  Let’s line the streets and cheer! Visit the City’s booth next to the bike valet at the Penticton Farmers’ Market on Saturday, Aug. 24 to pick up your free fan kit. This includes street chalk, fan signs and stickers. Look for the City of Penticton's booth near City Hall.

  

• IRONKIDS Fun Run

  Register your kids for this fun event! It 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

• NEW! Visit the Entertainment Garden

  Soak up the energy of the event in the IRONMAN Entertainment Garden, located at Gyro Park on Main Street in downtown Penticton. With live DJs and a beverage garden. Open to all ages! 

  Hours of Entertainment Garden: 

  • Saturday, Aug. 24, from 4-9 p.m. 
  • Sunday, Aug. 25, from 12-9 p.m. 

   

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• You're Also Invited to...

  • Visit the IRONMAN Village at Rotary Park (Aug. 22-24).
  • Attend the opening ceremony at Gyro Park. 
  • 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. Finishers of both races are expected to cross the finish line between 12 noon and 12 midnight. 
  • Sign up as a volunteer.
  • Watch the IRONKIDS fun run on Saturday morning, starting at 9 a.m. 
  • Attend the award ceremonies at Gyro Park (70.3 awards on Sunday at 5:30, Full IRONMAN awards on Monday at 9:30 a.m.)
  • Volunteers are invited to attend the volunteer appreciation dinner on Monday at 5 p.m.

  Visit the IRONMAN Canada website for event details

• 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.

• 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

Race Routes & Road Closures

• Free Bike Valet Parking

  The City is providing a free bike valet service at the IRONMAN Entertainment Garden in Gyro Park on race day – Sunday, Aug. 25 – from 12 noon until 9 p.m. Look for the booth near City Hall. This is a free program, provided by the City’s Sustainability team.

  The bike valet will also operate as usual on Saturday, Aug. 24, during the Penticton Farmers’ Market, at Gyro Park from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

• Allow Extra Time! Tips for Race Day

  Here are some tips to help:

  • Avoid driving. If you need to drive, use Channel Parkway or Government Street wherever possible and know where you can cross Main Street (see below).
  • 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 or Skaha Lake Road 

  Main Street and Skaha Lake Road will be closed on Aug. 25. If you need to cross Main Street, the best time to do so will be between 10-11:30 a.m. 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 or Skaha Lake Road?

  Avoid driving. If you need to drive, use Channel Parkway or Government Street wherever possible and know where you can 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 

  2024 IRONMAN Canada info for residents

   

  Map of Run & Bike Routes 

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• IMPORTANT: Information for Residents

  The following newsletter is being mailed out to every household throughout Penticton. You can also view it online or download a PDF to print off. 

  2024 IRONMAN Canada info for residents

   

• Transit Schedule Changes

  The City is extending local bus services through BC Transit to operate the #5 bus from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m., to match the hours of the #16 bus times, so both sides of Main Street will receive service throughout this time. Due to the road closures, the buses will not cross Main Street. 

  For updates involving the bus routes, visit 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

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  Visit the IRONMAN Canada webpage for more race course information

• Map of Bike Route

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  Visit the IRONMAN Canada webpage for more race course information

• Map of Swim Route

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  Visit the IRONMAN Canada webpage for more race course information

Have Questions?

• What's the best time to cross Main Street or Skaha Lake Road?

  The best time to cross will be between 10-11:30 a.m. After this time, avoid crossing Main Street. 

• Where can I cross Main Street & Skaha Lake Road?

  Main Street and Skaha Lake Road will be closed on Sunday. If you need to cross Main Street, the best time to do so will be between 10-11:30 a.m. Crossings will be facilitated with RCMP and traffic control personnel at: 

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

   

• Which bus routes are affected and how?

  The City is extending local bus services through BC Transit to operate the #5 bus from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m., to match the hours of the #16 bus times, so both sides of Main Street will receive service throughout this time. Due to the road closures, the buses will not cross Main Street. 

  For updates involving BC Transit, visit bctransit.com.

• Is the KVR trail closed along the race route?

  No, you can walk on it, but prepare for lots of foot traffic. 

• 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.

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

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

• My car has been towed. Where is it?

  If you parked along the race route overnight (for example, Main Street, Skaha Lake Road or Lee Avenue), your car will be towed off-site. Contact Penticton Towing at 250-493-1991. 

• 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. 

   

• 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