Ironman 5150 triathlon in Vancouver approved for 2016

Vancouver Park Board commissioners have unanimously approved anagreement withIronmanCanadafor an Olympic-distancetriathlon that willtake placein downtown Vancouver onJuly 10, 2016.

"This is a terrific example of partnership, where all of the different stakeholders come together for the greater good of delivering a fantastic event," said Commissioner Sarah Kirby-Young.

Park BoardCommissioners approved the event after asking the organizers to make some adjustments.Some Commissioners had previously expressedconcernabout how the event would affect traffic and other tourism opportunities during one ofthe city's busiest months.

Organizers readjusted the competition'shours to address thoseconcerns. There will now be a road closure in Stanley Park from5:30 a.m. to 10:30a.m. on the day of the event to accommodate the cycling portion of the competition.

TheIronman5150Seriestriathlon is a shorter distance than thefullIronmancompetition; itwouldinclude a 1.5 kilometre swim, a 40-kilometre bicycle ride, and a 10-kilometre run in Coal Harbour and Stanley Park, closing roads throughout the area during the event.

IronmanCanadaestimatesthetriathlon will draw 2,500 competitors andabout 10,000 visitors to Vancouver, as well as add Vancouver to the roster of 22 countries that host the iconicevents.

Ironmanacquired the SubaruVancouver Triathlon in 2014 with the intent of relocating the event to the downtown area in 2016, according to a Park Board report.

This is not the first time thecity willhostlarge sportsevents in the downtown area during thesummer. TheLululemanSeaWheezehalf marathon takes place in August, with participants running a coursethat includes a section ofthe Seawall.