The swim portion of the highly anticipated Ironman 70.3 Victoria, scheduled for May 25 at Hamsterly Beach in Elk Lake, has been cancelled due to the presence of an algal bloom exceeding Health Canada's safety threshold.
Race officials, in collaboration with Island Health, the Capital Regional District and Triathlon British Columbia, made the decision to prioritize the safety of athletes, volunteers and staff.
The algal bloom was detected this week and identified as a potentially toxic species, prompting Island Health to issue a beach advisory that will remain in effect until the bloom subsides.
In light of the cancellation, the race will now commence with a bike time trial at 6:30 a.m. in the transition area, which opens at 5:30 a.m.
Race organizers announced the change on the event's Facebook page, emphasizing that athlete safety remains their top priority.
Despite the swim cancellation, all Ironman 70.3 World Championship slots will still be awarded based on each athlete's combined bike and run times. Age group ranking points will also be allocated accordingly.
Further details regarding the race start protocol will be provided during athlete briefings.
Participants are encouraged to visit the Ironman 70.3 Victoria Facebook page for the latest updates and information.
The organizers appreciate the understanding of all athletes affected by this unforeseen circumstance.
Toxic algal bloom forces swim cancellation at Ironman 70.3 Victoria
The race will instead kick off with a bike time trial at 6:30 a.m. in the transition area
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