Thousands of athletes participated in the inaugural Ironman Canada-Ottawa competition in Ottawa, showcasing their endurance in a grueling triathlon involving running, cycling, and swimming. Luke Evans from Toronto emerged as the triumphant finisher, completing the race in an impressive time of eight hours, 40 minutes, and 22 seconds. Expressing his elation, Evans described the victory as a dream realized, surpassing his own expectations of placing in the top 15 or 20 participants.
Among the female competitors, Aliisa Heiskanen of Gatineau, Que., demonstrated exceptional speed and determination, securing the title of the fastest woman with a finishing time of 9 hours, 32 minutes, and 46 seconds. The race, which saw around 3,000 registered athletes, commenced with a challenging 3.8-kilometer swim in the Ottawa River near Britannia Beach, followed by a demanding 180-kilometer bike ride along the city’s scenic parkways, and finally, a grueling 42.2-kilometer run through the downtown area.
Facing not only the physical demands of the course but also adverse environmental conditions, participants coped with an air quality advisory in Ottawa caused by smoke from nearby wildfires. Despite these challenges, the event was a resounding success, with plans already in place for the Ironman competition to return to Ottawa in 2026.