Photo: Monique Tamminga Ironman winner Lionel Sanders, centre, at the podium Sunday, Aug. 25 at Penticton's final Ironman. It’s the end of an era for Penticton as thousands came to cheer on the athletes one last time for the final edition of Ironman Canada on Sunday.
Canada’s highest profile triathlete Lionel ‘No Limits’ Sanders finished way ahead to take the win in Penticton, the birthplace of Ironman. Coming through the Lakeshore Drive finish line at 6:57:09, Sanders was hugged by his wife and toddler as he got his medal, waving to crowds holding signs and cheering on the finish line. This win is three out of four Ironman races for Sanders this year, securing himself an early slot for the 2025 Ironman World Championships in Nice.
The last edition of the iconic Penticton race got off to an unexpected start with the 3.8 km swim in Okanagan Lake removed by organizers in the early morning due to water temperatures being too cold. Lake temperatures had dipped to around 12 or 13 C.
Instead, the 1,700 athletes went with a later start of 7:30 a.m. for the 180 km bike ride through Oliver, Osoyoos and Keremeos and returning to Penticton where they transitioned to the 42.
2 kilometre run through Penticton and the area. It usually takes elite athletes around eight hours to finish while some can take up to 15 hours. Numerous faithful spectators and many volunteers stay until the very last racer comes through.
In the Pro Women division, it was American Sarah True that crushed her .