Ottawa will be buzzing this Colonel By Day long weekend as more than 3,000 athletes from 65 countries descend on the national capital for the second Ironman Canada-Ottawa, causing major road closures across the region.
The long-distance triathlon begins Sunday morning with a swim at Britannia Beach before competitors cycle through Ottawa and Gatineau and finish with a marathon through the downtown core.
Monday marks Colonel By Day, known elsewhere as the Civic Holiday, with many attractions and businesses remaining open, while some city services take the day off.
Here’s what you need to know before heading into this long weekend.
Ironman race schedule
The race begins at 6 a.m. Sunday with a 3.8-kilometre swim at Britannia Beach, followed by a 180-kilometre bike ride and a 42.2-kilometre marathon. Athletes have up to 17 hours to complete the course.
The first athletes are expected to cross the finish line at Major’s Hill Park around 2 p.m., while the final competitors have until about midnight to complete the race.
The finish-line celebration, known as Magic Hour, runs from 10 p.m. to midnight Sunday.
Where is the race?
The race starts at Britannia Beach, with the bike course then traveling through Britannia, downtown Ottawa, Blackburn Hamlet, Gatineau and Mooney’s Bay before athletes transition from their bikes to the run at the National Gallery of Canada. The race finishes at Major’s Hill Park.
The marathon will take runners past Parliament Hill, along Queen Elizabeth Driveway and through the Central Experimental Farm before finishing at Major’s Hill Park beside the National Gallery of Canada, with views of Parliament Hill.
Road and bridge closures
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
- Kichi Zībī Mīkan
- Wellington Street
- Mackenzie Avenue
- Sussex Drive
- Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway
- Colonel By Drive
- Queen Elizabeth Driveway
- Prince of Wales Drive
- Arboretum Roadway
- National Capital Commission Scenic Driveway
Bridge closures include:
- Alexandra Bridge: Closed in both directions from 6 a.m. Sunday until 6 a.m. Monday.
- Champlain Bridge: Closed from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Sunday.
- Chaudière Bridge: Closed from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Sunday.
- Portage Bridge: Southbound closed from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday; northbound closed from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
- Pretoria Bridge: Closed from 6 a.m. to midnight Sunday.
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OC Transpo
OC Transpo routes along the Ironman race course will be detoured Sunday. On Monday, Colonel By Day, buses will operate on a Saturday schedule. Riders are encouraged to check OC Transpo’s website before travelling.
Royal Canadian Air Force fly-pasts
The Royal Canadian Air Force will perform two fly-overs during the Ironman schedule:
- Friday, 6 p.m. over Major’s Hill Park during the official opening ceremony.
- Sunday, 6 a.m. over Britannia Beach at the start of the race.
What’s open on Colonel By Day?
Colonel By Day, observed Monday, is Ottawa’s name for the Civic Holiday. Because it is not a statutory holiday in Ontario, many businesses and attractions will be open, although some will operate on modified hours.
Shopping
Most major shopping centres will be open Monday, including:
- CF Rideau Centre
- Bayshore Shopping Centre
- St. Laurent Shopping Centre
- Place d’Orléans
- Billings Bridge Shopping Centre
- Carlingwood Shopping Centre
- Tanger Outlets
Most grocery stores will also remain open, although hours may vary by location.
Museums
Most museums will be open Monday, including:
- National Gallery of Canada
- Bytown Museum
- Canadian Museum of History
- Canadian War Museum
- Canadian Museum of Nature
- Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
- Canada Science and Technology Museum
- Canada Aviation and Space Museum
- Diefenbunker
What’s closed?
Several municipal services will be closed Monday, including:
- Ottawa Public Library branches
- City Hall and ServiceOttawa client service centres
- City administrative offices
- Municipal child-care centres
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There will be no curbside garbage, recycling or green bin collection Monday. Collection will shift by one day for the remainder of the week.
Banks and Canada Post locations will also be closed.
Colonel By Day celebrations
The Bytown Museum and Capital Heritage Connexion will host a free Colonel By Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday at the Bytown Museum next to the Fairmont Château Laurier hotel.
The event will commemorate Lt.-Col. John By and construction of the Rideau Canal with free museum admission, costumed interpreters, historical displays, family activities and screenings of the documentary Two Wars, Three Watersheds, A Slew of Surveys and A Canal.
Visitors can also take part in free guided walking tours of downtown Ottawa offered by Indigenous Walks and Ottawa Walking Tours, while organizations including the Historical Society of Ottawa, Black History Ottawa, the National Capital Commission and local heritage groups will host information booths throughout the day.
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