Thousands of competitors are set to dive into the waters of the Ottawa River Sunday to compete in the capital’s first ever Ironman event. The long-distance race, completed over three legs, begins Sunday at 6 a.m. at Britannia Beach for the swim portion, before cyclists and runners sprawl out across the national capital region over a 17-hour period. The finish line is on Murray Street near the National Gallery. Ironman Canada-Ottawa race director, David Holm, says the turnout for Ottawa’s first Ironman race has already made the event a success, with more than 2,400 competitors registered. “If we had the registration even greater, my suspicion is those spots would have went,” Holm tells CTV News Ottawa. “Ottawa is proving it has elevated their profile as a destination.” Saturday was the day for participants to drop off their equipment at the cycling and running transition stations, located at Britannia Beach and Major’s Hill Park. Angela Hubber travelled from Burlington to compete in her third Ironman, noting the event held in Ottawa held extra significance. “It’s getting to be pretty emotional already,” she says. “I’ve walked around the Parliament buildings, taken my pictures because I won’t have my phone with me (during the race), taking some selfies. But it’ll be pretty cool and pretty motivating to be here. It’s a special place.” Several medical aid stations have also been set up across the city to provide care for athletes throughout the competition, with the main location on Sussex Drive near the race finish line. “We have a beach clinic, we have a clinic at the extraction point at the Nepean Sailing Club, we have six aid stations along the route,” explains Karen Lawrence, the medical team lead for the Ottawa Hospital’s Ironman Support Team. “We also have mobile aid stations in the form of six medical vans.” Lawrence says there are over 300 medical personnel working the event on Sunday and they anticipate approximately 10 per cent of racers will require some form of care, with one to three per cent of racers needing critical care. “We’re advising athletes to take it easy, to listen to their body, to make sure they’re staying hydrated. We worry a lot about, in this kind of weather, hyponatremia with endurance racing as well.” With the race spread across many parts of the city, spectators will have ample opportunities to take in the action and cheer on friends and family. “We run behind Confederation Park on the parkway,” says Holm, mentioning good spots to view the race. “The bike is on the other side on Colonel By. The run course especially, which goes down behind the Parliament building on the Ottawa River pathway. Canada Parks Locks is an amazing section.” A majority of runners are expected to cross the finish line on Murray Street next to the National Gallery of Canada between 10 p.m. and 12 a.m.
