Ironman Announces Whistler As New Ironman Canada Venue

The World Triathlon Corporation has announced that Whistler will be the new location for Ironman Canada. The race used to take place in Penticton, but that contract was taken over by the Challenge Series. Both Ironman Canada and Challenge Penticton will take place on Aug. 25, 2013.

See the complete press release below:

Today, World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) announces Whistler, British Columbia as the new venue of the Ironman Canada triathlon. Ironman Canada in Whistler builds on the legacy of the 2010 Winter Olympics, while offering athletes a beautiful, challenging experience in a world-class venue.  The event is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, and will be the 31st running of Ironman Canada.

“Whistler is recognized worldwide as a sought-after travel and outdoor recreation destination.  As the new host community of Ironman Canada, Whistler will immediately earn a reputation as a triathlon destination,” said Steve Meckfessel, Managing Director of Global Race Operations for WTC. “With its accessibility to major west coast markets, stunning beauty and tourism infrastructure, Whistler will resonate with our athletes, their families and fans of Ironman.”

The race will start with a two-loop, 2.4-mile swim in the clean shallow waters of Alta Lake at Rainbow Park, which has an average water temperature of 67 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit in late August.  Athletes will enjoy a lakeside transition before starting a one-loop 112-mile bike course that is comparable in difficulty to the bike route at Ironman Lake Placid, Ironman Coeur d’Alene, and the previous Ironman Canada. Athletes will travel south on the Sea-to-Sky Highway before climbing into the Callaghan Valley, site of the Nordic skiing events during the 2010 Winter Olympics. After descending back to the highway, athletes pass through Whistler on their way north to Pemberton. An out-and-back section allows athletes breathtakingly beautiful views of glaciated peaks, while racing on a completely flat section of road. Athletes return to Whistler via the Sea-to-Sky Highway over rolling terrain. The two-loop run course follows the meandering Valley Trail past Lost Lake and Green Lake allowing spectators to reinvigorate athletes with a return through Whistler Village at the halfway point of the run before finishing adjacent to Whistler Olympic Plaza.

“We are absolutely thrilled, and honored, that Whistler has been chosen from among some of the country’s most spectacular destinations to host Ironman Canada,” said Breton Murphy, Tourism Whistler’s Director of Partnerships and lead for the Whistler Organizing Committee, which responded to the request for proposals by WTC.