Ottawa prepares to welcome endurance athletes for its first Ironman
Posted Jul 26, 2025 01:14:29 PM.
Last Updated Jul 26, 2025 01:16:59 PM.
A 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike and 42.2 km run is not for the weak. But next weekend, the City of Ottawa will welcome endurance athletes to compete in the city’s first Ironman.
Ironman’s have been increasing in popularity along with other endurance sports like running and long distance cycling. The Ironman Group’s own research found that in 2024, over 50,000 athletes completed their first Ironman or Ironman 70.3, marking a four per cent year-over-year increase.
Further data shows that participation among those ages 18 to 35 is at an all time high and female participation increased 10 per cent in one year.
The popularity of the sport have seen Ironman races popping up across North America. For the first time this year, athletes will be able to complete the race in Ottawa.
Ottawa already boasts the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend which is the largest multi-day race event in Canada, and Ironman Ottawa may prove to be similarly successful.
Registration for the 2025 Ironman Ottawa sold out a full year prior to the race. Now 3,000 athletes are expected to toe the line next weekend.
“We are excited to see Ottawa immediately become a highly desirable race venue in such a short period of time,” Keats McGonigal, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, of North America for The Ironman Group, said in a press release. “When we first identified Ottawa as a potential host location, we knew that this beautiful city would be a compelling race destination that athletes would find exciting.”
The course features a swim in the Ottawa River, a bike course through the city streets and a marathon route along the Rideau Canal pathway ending in front of Parliament Hill.
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe boasted about the event on X, marking locations for spectators to view the event.
“There are plenty of spots along the route to catch the action,” he said. “Hope to see Team Ottawa out there, every step of the way.”
The Ottawa Ironman takes place on August 3.
