One of Greater Victoria’s biggest athletic events is returning this weekend as hundreds of athletes prepare to take part in Ironman 70.3 Victoria on Sunday.
The internationally recognized triathlon brings competitors from across Canada and beyond to Vancouver Island for a challenging race that includes a 1.9-kilometre swim, 90-kilometre bike ride and 21.1-kilometre run.
The “70.3” name refers to the total race distance in miles, which combines the swim, bike and run portions of the event.
Centered around Elk and Beaver Lake, the event has become a major early-season race on the Ironman calendar and also serves as a qualifying event for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship.
Athletes will begin with a swim in Elk Lake before heading out on a single-loop cycling course through the Saanich Peninsula and finishing with a run along the shaded trails surrounding Elk and Beaver lakes.
Organizers describe the Victoria race as a “hidden gem” on the global triathlon circuit thanks to its scenic coastal roads, forest-lined routes and laid-back Vancouver Island atmosphere.
And if you’ve noticed coloured spray paint or red marker lines appearing on roads around Greater Victoria this week, there’s a good chance they’re related to race preparations and route markings for athletes.
Drivers across Greater Victoria and the Saanich Peninsula should expect delays and increased traffic Sunday morning into the afternoon as cyclists move through the course.
According to event organizers, all roads along the bike course will remain open during the event with one key exception.
Cordova Bay Road between Blenkinsop Road and Ash Road will be closed from 6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. during the cycling portion of the race.
Police officers and traffic control personnel will also be stationed throughout the course area and motorists are being asked to follow directions and use extra caution around cyclists.
Residents in Gordon Head hoping to access Highway 17 on Sunday morning are encouraged to travel south and use the McKenzie Avenue on-ramp before 9:30 a.m. due to impacts near Cordova Bay Road.
The race route travels through several municipalities and will impact several main roads, including:
- Cordova Bay Road
- Lochside Drive
- West Saanich Road
- Willis Point Road
- Lands End Road
- Oldfield Road
- Welch Road
- Hunt Road
- Fowler Road
- Keating Cross Road
- Royal Oak Drive
Traffic impact windows are expected to occur in phases throughout the day:
- 6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
- 6:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
- 7:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
- 7:40 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Victoria edition has roots dating back years under the former New Balance Half-Iron branding and has developed a strong reputation within the triathlon community.
The event hub and spectator village will once again be based around Hamsterly Beach at Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park, where spectators can catch athletes transitioning between race segments.
Along with the race itself, the event also provides a major tourism boost for Greater Victoria each spring, bringing visitors into local hotels, restaurants and businesses throughout the weekend.
More information and the full event schedule can be found on the official Ironman 70.3 Victoria website.
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