Just wondering if there are any plans for an independent race half or full distance race in Penticton next summer or is everything dead due to cost of “roadside flagging crew” that allegedly drove costs through the roof ?
Aren’t the constant wildfires melting the snow into the lake making it too cold to swim or something like that?
The snow has melted by mid summer every year and it has nothing to do with the increasing fires (fires that have been happening for decades) The lake gets cold if the weather is bad,the wind blows and the lake turns over bringing the deep cold water to the surface.
If the people of Penticton wanted Ironman to stay it would have but the population has increased, the demographic has changed and Ironman is no longer the big deal that it used to be.
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It is a sign of the times the world over.
Future of WA’s road cycling races in jeopardy after traffic management pay rise - ABC News
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Operational costs blamed for cancellation of 2025 Snowy Classic cycling event | About Regional
I apologize - I was conflating a set of absurd, misunderstood and unrelated circumstances of Penticton current events for the purposes of levity…not quite toilet humor, but kinda on the level of Dakota Governor…sorry it was a miss.
Hey putting all the jokes aside, @ThailandUltras what is interesting that the edition in 2024 with 1800+ races (sure half and full but still) was way bigger than any of the events that you and I did back in the early 1990’s in Penticton. Nonetheless, it may not be the “big deal in town” as it was say in 1991, but in terms of numbers its there.
What may have changed is with AirBnB, the community does not make as much money other than some rich folks renting out their places to triathletes and then a large group of people staying there versus the volume of hotel rooms. It was super easy for me to find hotels close to the start line (there are more today than 1991 too) and less demand due to AirBnB?
The vibe is so different now than it was in the 90’s. I spent 17 summers (and three winters) there between '91 and 2018 and Ironman has lost it’s shine.
Here we have the Dragon Boat Festival and the Latin Rhythm Festival brining in 2,500 participants over consecutive weekends and not a single road closure or pissed off motorists between them…and these people actually spend a lot in the bars and restaurants. 
‘Latin Rhythm Fest’ rocks Skaha Lake Park
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I don’t buy the that traffic control costs killed the race but maybe a factor.
I chatted last month with Jodi Cross, the Okanagan Gran Fondo owner and RD. IIRC correctly her biggest concerns about her event were finding and keeping race sponsors and lower tourism numbers due to the AirBnB ban and yearly forest fires. However, if their social media is anything to go by, they are going to sell out.
Fun new change, the new 155km course is the Ironman course without the out and back.
I haven’t heard about a replacement triathlon event in Penticton, but if anyone knows it’s probably Hydrosloth.
Paul - there may not be anything right in Penticton but there are races to do here on the west coast.
If you like the area then take a look at the Oliver Half that is on better roads than IMC used to be on 40km south of Penticton. June 8th
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Talk to Jodi about organizing a tri. She’s a triathlete by DNA anyway even though her father in law has one less stage win the TdF than Cav!!!
I enjoyed the 70.3 course so much (I biked it on Friday of race week and Sunday race day, that I went back and road it the next day (Monday) through Oliver and up the big climbs before I had to drive back to YVR to drive home.
Date of Oliver half is not ideal for me, but its not a no either. I am also loosely thinking about coming over for the Skaha lake Ultra swim and then sticking around for a one person bike camp
She mentioned the possibility of another event but nothing about triathlon.
FYI, I think her and Axel have been divorced for a while now. I seem to recall he was dating Chloe Dygert or something.
Well it would be cool if Jodi gets involved with putting on a tri. As for Axel + Dygert, that’s like father daughter age but whatever!!!
I am keeping my options open for a training camp in the area next summer regardless, the other option is going to Alpe d’Huez after watching TdF final stage (timing lines up with ADH tri, but not sure my body is up to that run course). I pulled out of Ironman Ottawa which is down the street from me as I don’t think my body can take the marathon training and if I stay signed up I will likely injure myself this winter doing something too hard too long