Things cool off in Ottawa, but Ironman Sunday expected to be another scorcher

Ottawa Citizen

19 hours ago

With a multi-day heat warning finally lifted, things were much more comfortable for Ottawans as they enjoyed outside activities Wednesday.
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The most recent heat warning for the National Capital Region had gone into effect Saturday, when the daytime high reached 29.9 C. That figure climbed to 30.9 C on Sunday, and on Monday the temperature jumped all the way to a scorching 33.9 C before dropping to a high of 29.9 C on Tuesday.
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Conditions again cooled by more than two degrees Wednesday, when the high was 27.6 C, and there should be more of the same for the next three days, with forecast highs of 25 C, 24 C and 27 C for Thursday through Saturday.
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It doesn't appear that competitors in the Ironman Canada-Ottawa will catch a break, however, because Environment Canada is anticipating a high of 31 C on Sunday and nothing but sunny skies.
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One of the world's most gruelling sports competitions, the Ironman is a test of stamina and fitness organized by the World Triathlon Corporation, and includes a 3.8-kilometre swim followed by a 180.2-kilometre cycle and a 42.2-kilometre run.
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The race in Ottawa will begin with athletes swimming two loops of a 1.9-kilometre course at Britannia Beach. From there, they will hop on their bikes, completing 2.75 circuits of a cycling course on National Capital Commission parkways, which will be closed for the event.
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The race will conclude with a marathon-distance run starting at Parliament Hill and winding along a course through downtown streets and along the Rideau Canal.
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