Ironman Canada-Ottawa draws 3,000 athletes for long weekend of road closures
Race begins Sunday at Britannia Beach. Competitors will cycle through Ottawa and Gatineau before finishing at Major's Hill Park. Road and bridge closures start as early as 3 a.m. Sunday.
Sources · local media reports
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Ottawa will see major traffic disruptions this long weekend as more than 3,000 athletes from 65 countries arrive for the second Ironman Canada-Ottawa.
The long-distance triathlon begins July 28 at 6 a.m. with a 3.8-kilometre swim at Britannia Beach. Athletes then cycle 180 kilometres through Britannia, downtown Ottawa, Blackburn Hamlet, Gatineau, and Mooney's Bay before running 42.2 kilometres through downtown, past Parliament Hill, along Queen Elizabeth Driveway, and through the Central Experimental Farm, finishing at Major's Hill Park. Competitors have up to 17 hours to complete the course. The first athletes are expected to cross the finish line around 2 p.m., with final competitors finishing by midnight.
Road closures begin as early as 3 a.m. Sunday and some streets may remain closed until about 1 a.m. Monday. Major roadways affected include Carling Avenue, Island Park Drive, Wellington Street, Sussex Drive, Colonel By Drive, Queen Elizabeth Driveway, and Prince of Wales Drive. Multiple bridges will be closed, including Alexandra Bridge (both directions 6 a.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. Monday), Champlain Bridge, Chaudière Bridge, Portage Bridge, and Pretoria Bridge.
OC Transpo routes along the race course will be detoured Sunday. On Monday, Colonel By Day (observed as Ottawa's Civic Holiday), buses will operate on a Saturday schedule. The Royal Canadian Air Force will perform fly-overs Friday at 6 p.m. over Major's Hill Park and Sunday at 6 a.m. over Britannia Beach.
Before you go
When does the Ironman Canada-Ottawa race start?
The race begins on Sunday, July 26, 2026 at 6 a.m. with a 3.8-kilometre swim at Britannia Beach in Ottawa.
What roads will be closed during the race?
Road closures in Ottawa begin as early as 3 a.m. on Sunday, July 26, 2026 and last until about 1 a.m. on Monday, July 27, 2026. Major affected roadways include Carling Avenue, Island Park Drive, Wellington Street, Sussex Drive, Colonel By Drive, Queen Elizabeth Driveway, and Prince of Wales Drive. Alexandra Bridge will be closed in both directions from 6 a.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. Monday.
When will athletes finish the race?
The first athletes are expected to finish at Major's Hill Park around 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, 2026, with the final competitors crossing the finish line by midnight.
How will OC Transpo service be affected?
OC Transpo routes along the race course will be detoured on Sunday, July 26, 2026. On Monday, July 27, 2026 (Colonel By Day), buses will operate on a Saturday schedule.
