Ironman has announced that Muskoka, Ontario in Canada has been selected to host the fourteenth race in the Ironman North American Series. The inaugural Ironman Muskoka triathlon will take place on Sunday 30 August 2015.
In addition, Ironman announced that the existing Ironman 70.3 Muskoka triathlon will now shift dates to Sunday 5 July 2015, ‘making it the ideal training race for Ironman Muskoka.’
The new Ironman Muskoka event follows Ironman’s recent expansion in British Columbia, Canada. In May, Ironman brand owner World Triathlon Corp (WTC) confirmed that Victoria, British Columbia, will host the 31st race in the Ironman 70.3 North American Series and that Ironman has signed an agreement to acquire Lifesport Properties, owners of the Subaru Western Triathlon Series.
“Ironman 70.3 Muskoka has been a premiere race for the Ironman brand in the region and we are thrilled to expand our offerings in Canada with the addition of Ironman Muskoka,” said Andrew Messick, Chief Executive Officer of Ironman.
He continued, “Muskoka is rich in triathlon history, including hosting the ITU Triathlon World Championship in 1992. We look forward to continuing our strong relationship with the Town of Huntsville, TriMuskoka and the Deerhurst Resort to deliver an amazing race for our athletes.”
One of more than 35 events in the global Ironman Series, Ironman Muskoka will lead athletes through a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run that takes place in the beautiful Deerhurst Resort and the surrounding scenic areas of Muskoka.
The race will provide athletes with a challenging and scenic course along lakes, rivers, towering forests, granite outcroppings, hills and valleys that utilizes much of the historical Ironman 70.3 Muskoka course.
The race will start with a single loop 2.4-mile swim in the picturesque Peninsula Lake. The two-loop bike course circles Lake of Bays, passing through the small communities of Dwight, Dorset, and Baysville. The two-loop run will take competitors through the Muskoka region and historic downtown Huntsville as they enter the Spectator Zone, finishing their day back at the Deerhurst Resort.
“The Town of Huntsville is thrilled to be hosting Ontario’s first Ironman triathlon in 2015 as well as 2016 and 2017,” said Mayor Claude Doughty. “This event is an excellent fit for our community as triathlons provide an ideal way to showcase our beautiful landscape while promoting a healthy, active lifestyle to our residents and visitors.
“The positive energy and attention that this event will bring to our region will be outstanding and we are truly honoured to be hosting a sporting event that is as world renowned as an Ironman.”
“TriMuskoka is absolutely ecstatic about Ironman Muskoka coming to our community as triathlon has been an integral part of the Huntsville and Lake of Bays community for over 25 years,” said Rich Trenholm, President of TriMuskoka – an advocacy club for endurance athletes and endurance sport tourism.
Trenholm added, “Having an Ironman event truly reinforces the fact that Muskoka is not only Ontario’s vacation playground, but a mecca for endurance sports and most notably our triathlon events of every distance. Athletes coming to our community will find themselves amidst the natural beauty of the landscape that is carved out of the granite and forests that make up the Canadian Shield.”
Ironman Muskoka will offer 50 age group slots to the 2016 Ironman World Championship taking place on 8 October 2016 in Kailua-Kona, Hawai`i.
General registration for Ironman Muskoka will open at noon ET on Thursday 7 August 2014.
