Leaked! Ironman Ottawa to launch in 2025?
On Friday, a link from Nirvana's website was briefly leaked revealing plans for a new Ironman event in Ottawa.
An unexpected leak on Ironman’s travel partner Nirvana’s website momentarily revealed an exciting addition to the Ironman calendar. On Friday, April 12, the events section briefly listed a new race set for Ottawa on Sunday, August 3, 2025. This date strategically aligns with the Civic Holiday on August 4 for most Canadians, providing a perfect long weekend for the event.
Towards a second Ironman in Canada?
The addition of an Ironman in Ottawa could reshape the triathlon landscape in Canada, especially following the recent discontinuation of Ironman Mont-Tremblant. Currently, Ironman Canada-Penticton remains the sole full-distance event in the country.
This new event could also alleviate congestion at Ironman Lake Placid, which has already reached full capacity for this year. In fact, Lake Placid, the oldest Ironman event in the continental USA, is located just three hours from Ottawa and usually takes place in late July.
However, it should also be noted that the future of Lake Placid after 2024 (its 25th anniversary) remains uncertain, with ongoing debates about its continuation and relevance for the town’s community. In that case, that would potentially leave the door even more open for the new race in Ottawa to establish itself as a key event in the Ironman series.
The introduction of an Ironman in Ottawa has sparked widespread interest and speculation online. In 2025, could the Capital City draw top competitors like Ontario-native Lionel Sanders, eager for the thrill of clinching a victory on home ground? Fresh off his victory at Ironman 70.3 Oceanside, Sanders seems energized for seasons to come, though he acknowledges, “I can’t do this forever.”
With the details not yet confirmed, enthusiasts and athletes alike can only hope and wait for an official announcement by Ironman.
