What a scorcher — and what a day — for the inaugural IRONMAN Canada-Ottawa! The nation’s capital delivered a hot, hazy, unforgettable debut for this full-distance triathlon. Unlike the typical IRONMAN venues tucked away in resort towns or scenic rural settings, this one brought the action straight into the heart of a major city.
Through the heat, we surged through the streets, racing past Parliament Hill, the House of Commons, the National Gallery of Canada, the Château Laurier, and more — all set against a backdrop of Ottawa’s dynamic energy and historic charm.
I rolled out of bed at 3AM, grabbed my usual breakfast of oats, and then made my way out of the hotel. It was a two-transition race, so I headed straight to Confederation Park where shuttle buses were waiting to take us to the swim start at Britannia Beach.
The swim course was a one-loop design. The water was surprisingly warm, though the first half was against a tough chop. I felt pretty calm, despite not wearing a wetsuit, just sticking to my usual pace and staying steady. But the real surprise came midway through the Ottawa River, where a random sandbank popped up. The water shallowed out, and my fingertips were grazing the ground as I swam. I saw a lot of people standing up, but I just kept swimming forward, feeling my way through the shallows. It wasn’t a big deal—just an unexpected change in the rhythm of the swim.
The water itself was clean, but it was nothing like the clear, cold water I’ve swum in before, like in Calgary. It had a rusty orange hue that made it feel a bit different—almost like the river had its own character, something a little more… alive. A striking contrast to the usual crisp waters I’m used to.
This bike course took us out of Britannia Beach and onto a thrilling three-lap loop. We rode through the main streets of Ottawa and ventured out into some forested and short highway sections. The roads varied quite a bit—some sections were in fantastic condition, while others, especially in the downtown core, were rough, narrow, and had some tricky no-passing zones. I saw quite a few people lose their water bottles on the bad roads too. The volunteers at aid stations and intersections were amazing, keeping us well-supported throughout the race and ensuring we had everything we needed to push through and keep us safe.
The transition between the bike and run was smooth, with bike catchers waiting to rack our bikes as we headed to the run. This made the whole process feel seamless and kept the momentum going, transitioning , seamlessly into the run. The course was very spectator-friendly, which helped maintain energy and motivation throughout. The first half felt easy, but after 15km, nutrition became a challenge. After making some adjustments, the stomach settled, and running pace improved. The course featured a rolling terrain, with a mix of gentle inclines and declines that kept things interesting throughout. The final 2km involved a particularly challenging uphill stretch along the canal and behind a landmark building, which added an extra test at the end.
One of the most encouraging aspects of this race was the level of crowd support. Compared to other races, the cheering was overwhelming, with spectators lining the course from start to finish. The involvement of the crowd was particularly motivating, especially with our names on bibs. Hearing people cheer by name gave a personal touch that made each stretch feel more manageable and reminded me that the community was behind every step. The race provided a rewarding experience, with moments of doubt offset by the energy of the crowd and the chance to be part of the first edition of the event. Finishing in daylight was a small victory, too.
As the race neared its final stages, the magic hour transitioned to moonlight rising, making the experience even more memorable. Watching the last few finishers cross the line as spectators, families and finished racers lined red carpet was incredibly moving. It’s humbling to witness the perseverance of those pushing through the final moments, and it really puts your own journey into perspective.
A big thank you to all the volunteers, race organizers, and the city that made this event possible. With roaring crowds and stunning sights Ottawa proved it’s more than ready to host an event of this caliber.
This wasn’t just a race — it was a celebration of endurance, community, and Canadian spirit in the heart of the capital.
