"There's a huge sadness about it leaving and what that sort of means to the community," said Jeff Symonds, the 2022 Penticton Ironman champion, who won with a time of eight hours, 38 minutes and three seconds. "Even for the people coming up that might not have seen too many Ironmans in their days, it's unfortunate."
Symonds will be among the more than 2,000 participants this weekend in what is expected to be the last Ironman race in Penticton and in B.C. for the foreseeable future.
The Race's Last Stand in Penticton
The race usually consists of a 3.8 kilometre swim, a hilly 180 kilometre bike ride and a 42.2 kilometre run, although this year the swim portion was cancelled last minute due to cool water temperatures, according to Ironman's athlete tracker app. However, the cancellation of the swim did not dampen the spirits of the athletes or the spectators. The race, while different from its usual format, was a testament to the enduring spirit of the Ironman tradition.
A Farewell to Penticton: Reasons for the Move
Last month, Ironman Canada announced the race will move to Ottawa in 2025, expressing gratitude to Penticton for hosting the triathlon for more than three decades. Penticton, located in B.C.'s Okanagan, was the first Canadian city to host an Ironman triathlon, becoming home to the endurance race from the 1980s until 2012. The move to Ottawa signifies a shift in the Ironman's strategy, seeking a location with a larger population base and greater economic potential.
"It has been a part of our identity, it has been a part of who we are," Symonds said.
In 2013, Ironman relocated to Whistler in the Coast Mountains, before returning to Penticton in 2019 under a new five-year agreement with event organizers. However, in recent years, Ironman has faced challenges in the South Okanagan. These challenges include cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic and wildfires, coupled with the economic strain of hosting a global event in a smaller city.
Susie Ernsting, Ironman Canada's race director, noted the race was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and again in 2023 because of the wildfires.
"It's pretty sad to be leaving this town," she told CBC News. "Penticton has always been so welcoming. It was here I did my first Ironman in 2010, so it means a lot to me to be able to put on the last race."
For Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield, bidding farewell to the race is difficult but he acknowledged the city's struggle to host the global event.
"Ironman is moving on and we wish them all the best," he said. "[We're] not strong enough to continue anyway and we accept that."
"The economics are very, very tough," he said, adding centres with larger populations like Ontario have a better chance of making it viable.
A Legacy of Endurance: The Birth of Ironman
According to its official website, the Ironman triathlon was born in 1978 when Judy and John Collins organized the first race in Hawaii, blending swimming, biking, and running. The event gained worldwide fame in 1982 with American triathlete Julie Moss's dramatic crawl to the finish, becoming an iconic moment in sports history.
Among the people who saw Moss's finish was Lynn Van Dove, a key figure in bringing the Ironman race to Penticton. Dove, originally from Dallas, quickly became involved in Penticton's community after moving to the city, joining a tourism association and the well-known Penticton Peach Festival.
From Peach Festival to Ironman: A Vision Realized
The festival, dating back to the late 1940s, drew crowds with its rodeos, parades, and industrial shows, but Dove noticed that the city was quiet the rest of the year. To boost tourism, she suggested hosting a triathlon.
And in 1983, Dove and her friends organized the first triathlon with Ironman distances in Penticton. By 1986, Penticton hosted the first official Ironman event in continental North America outside Hawaii.
"It created a base for sports tourism, which is what Ironman became all over the world," she said. "The allure of Ironman was its exotic locations."
Dove managed the race annually until 1991 and witnessed its growth, noting how ideal Penticton was as a venue.
Ironman defending champion Symonds agrees.
"[Penticton] is just a great place for swimming, biking and running. We've got some amazing lakes here."
Despite this being the final edition of the race in Penticton, Symonds remains optimistic.
"One thing as an Ironman athlete, you're trying to train or reframe everything as a positive," Symonds said.
A Final Farewell: The 2024 Ironman Canada Race
More than 2,000 athletes from Canada and around the world, including Australia, the United Kingdom, and Germany, are participating in Sunday's Ironman race. The event will feature a challenging bike and run course, pushing athletes to their limits in the final race in Penticton. While the race will be missed in Penticton, the event's legacy will continue in Ottawa and in the hearts of those who have been a part of this iconic triathlon's history.
The Iron Nun's Last Penticton Race
Sister Madonna Buder, affectionately known as the Iron Nun, is back in Penticton, the site of her first-ever Ironman triathlon way back in 1983. She competed in Penticton for 25 consecutive years until her last race in 2017. Buder will be working as a volunteer at Sunday’s 2024 Ironman Canada, where she will be at the finish line handing out medals to competitors. Buder remains the world record holder for the oldest woman to ever finish an Ironman triathlon, which she accomplished right here in Penticton in 2012 at age 82.
Buder, a nun for more than 70 years, has become a symbol of perseverance and determination for athletes of all ages and abilities. Her presence at the finish line will be a poignant reminder of the event's enduring legacy.
A New Chapter Begins in Ottawa
While the final race in Penticton marks the end of an era, it also marks the beginning of a new chapter for Ironman Canada in Ottawa. The move to the nation’s capital will provide new opportunities for the event to reach a wider audience and attract a greater number of participants. While the spirit of Penticton will be missed, the legacy of Ironman Canada will continue to inspire athletes and communities across the country.
The Future of Ironman in Penticton
While the Ironman may be leaving Penticton, the city remains optimistic that the iconic race could one day return. The city is committed to fostering a strong community and supporting sporting events, and it is possible that Ironman could return to Penticton in the future. The race’s history in Penticton has created a lasting legacy, and it is a testament to the enduring spirit of the sport.
