As for the Ottawa event, I think the success of the event will be a factor of the course and the base location. As a past local (1 hour away) race director I worry about some of the great local events surviving the next few years.

Isn’t it pretty narrow at Bank St?

What about starting a little closer to 5th avenue and using Landsdowne as a transition area?

As much of a triathlon town Ottawa is, I think Ironman's huge profile stands to bring even more new local triathletes into the sport.

Bank street would be a great run (if a bit hilly to start), but I suspect they'd have trouble closing it to traffic. If you were doing transition at Landsdowne, they could easily just put the run on the run path next to the canal - assuming QEW is used for the bike. 2.5 loops around the canal and by the Parliament buildings, ending at Confederation gives you exactly 42km.

or in front of Parliament Hill.

Interesting course. 10 years ago, I would have done it. No interest in sitting on a bicycle for that many hours.

https://www.ironman.com/im-canada-ottawa-course

Split transition. Bike all on Ontario side.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s_SzwxUufE

Swim - clear water, they had a tri at that beach for many years. Also a very popular 3km swim that ends just north of the beach. Done both a number of times.
Bike - roads will be very good. It is pretty much flat with minimal risers occasionally. Very fast. Also, roads used for different tri/du venues for many years.
Run - similar to bike but not much shade. Sunny afternoon will cook.

Swim - clear water, they had a tri at that beach for many years. Also a very popular 3km swim that ends just north of the beach. Done both a number of times.
Bike - roads will be very good. It is pretty much flat with minimal risers occasionally. Very fast. Also, roads used for different tri/du venues for many years.
Run - similar to bike but not much shade. Sunny afternoon will cook.

https://www.ironman.com/im-canada-ottawa-course

Split transition. Bike all on Ontario side.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s_SzwxUufE

Does that mean two different transition locations?

Kona and Nice slots TBD. They said Aug 3 race date is on transition between qual years so your either doing an IM crammed in before this year's world's or you literally have 13-14 months for 2026 world's

Just some quick replies from press conf.

2 loop swim.in Briattania Bay, T1 at Briattania beach

Bike up to Carling ave and down to SJAM Parkway and then 2+ 3/4 loops going all the way to end of rockcliffr Parkway in east and going south on QE Parkway to PRETORIA bridge

T2 downtown near city Hall.

Run two loops of Col By + QE driveway up hill to Experimental farm

Looks like finish line near Chateau Laurier/Parliament Hill

I will post images of maps later but it may already be online now

Priority registration opens this afternoon general reg next week

Kona and Nice slots TBD. They said Aug 3 race date is on transition between qual years so your either doing an IM crammed in before this year's world's or you literally have 13-14 months for 2026 world's

Three year deal for starters

No 70.3 as the focus is selling out other 70.3s in region

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe asked if he can put a relay together and run the marathon haha