As thousands of athletes and visitors descend upon downtown Penticton for Ironman Canada this weekend, local officials are reminding the public that scheduled road closures will result in delays for travellers across the city.
"Extensive" road closures will be in effect all day on Aug. 25, including on Main Street, Skaha Lake Road and Lakeshore Drive.
Drivers should expect limited parking access and avoid crossing Main Street, the city said.
"Anyone planning to head down to cheer on the athletes, work as a volunteer, or attend the Ironman Entertainment Garden is encouraged to walk, ride bikes, or take public transit wherever possible," reads a press release.
A free bike valet service, provided by the city's sustainability team, will be available on race day near Penticton City Hall. The service will coincide with the new Ironman Entertainment Garden, which will feature inflatable games, live music and more inside Gyro Park all day.
"If it鈥檚 necessary to cross (Main Street) the best time to do so will be between 10 to 11:30 a.m.," the city is reminding drivers for Sunday. "Use Government Street and Channel Parkway wherever possible."
Transit services will also be extended on Sunday for BC Transit's No. 5 bus, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
On Saturday, meanwhile, road closures will also be in effect across the city's downtown core as the Ironkids Canada event and weekly downtown markets take centre stage.
When Ironman Canada last came to Penticton, in 2022, it is estimated that around 10,000 people lined up along the city's streets to cheer on the athletes. Penticton's own Jeff Symonds finished in first place that year after completing the triathlon in about eight and a half hours.
This weekend's event 鈥� featuring a 3.8-kilometre swim, 180-kilometre bike ride and 42.2-kilometre run 鈥� marks Ironman's last edition in the Peach City.
Organizers in July said the race would be moving to Ottawa in 2025. Penticton was the first city to host the competition in Canada, doing so in 1983.
Athletes from across the globe will be in Penticton one last time for the event on Sunday, as they enter Okanagan Lake at 7 a.m. and begin their journeys across the city.
鈥淎ll athletes know, there鈥檚 a time to say goodbye and find new challenges," said Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield, when it was announced Penticton would no longer host the race after 2024.
"We will honour the legacy of the athletes and volunteers who have made this an iconic event since the inaugural event in 1983 and begin writing a new chapter in our city鈥檚 proud sporting history."
