August 20th, 2025

50 Spots Added To Olympic Distance Events!

The Olympic Distance Events have sold out! The good news is, we have reconfigured the transition area to add 50 spots. Don’t miss out on what we believe could be the best Olympic Distance event in Ontario and maybe even in Canada. Join us for the first time in 2025!

Registration closes on September 9th at noon.

Bike Course Lap Counter

For those who still have not heard the news, this year’s bike course will have over 65km of closed roads on very well paved roads. The last 60km is very scenic with two loops on the beautiful Niagara Parkway, which runs beside the Niagara River.

We know that sometimes athletes get fuzzy when racing the Half Distance and some people will be wondering, how do I know how many laps I have completed? The decision point as to whether you must complete another loop or proceed on to the FINISH is located on the northern end of the Niagara Parkway.

On the side of the road you will see the Sportstats Lap Counter Tent and Monitor with a display that will keep you updated and tell you how many laps you have completed. This will be followed by signs pointing left to turn around and start another lap or right pointing you to the FINISH

The monitor in the roadside Lap Counter Tent will display your bib, name, and the number of laps you’ve done. Again, after you pass the Lap Counter Tent you will see the LAP/FINISH signs in the centre of the road. 

Here is a summary what to expect on the Niagara Parkway section of the Bike Course:

• At approximately 24km you turn left on to the Niagara parkway and ride north for approximately 12.5km (total distance of approximately 37km) where you will see the Lap Counter Tent and Monitor followed by the LAP/FINISH Signs. This is where you turn around to START THE FIRST of TWO LAPS. Each lap is approximately 25km. The Lap counter monitor at side of bike course will display your bib, name, and the number of laps you’ve done, which will be ZERO the first time. If the number of laps is less than required, your bib and name appear in RED. 

• Start of second lap is at the north turnaround at approximately 62km. Lap counter and monitor at side of bike course will display your bib, name, and the number of laps you’ve done, which will be “ONE”. If the number of laps is less than required, your bib and name is in RED. 
• The end of the second loop is at the north turnaround at approximately 87km. Lap counter monitor at side of bike course will display your bib, name, and the number of laps you’ve done, which will be “TWO”. If you have completed the required number of laps your bib and name will be displayed in GREEN. 
• At this point you continue north to the Bike Finish at Kingsbridge Park.

Run Course Update – Dufferin Islands Back On The Run Course

As you may know in 2024, we had to extend the first run course lap so that athletes went past the finish area and over a footbridge, before heading out for the second lap. This was because we were unable to use all the Dufferin Islands section because of some construction.

The Dufferin Island section is a lovely part of the run course with lots of shade and Shady and an aid station. We are happy to say that we have 100% use of the Dufferin Islands section and you will not have to complete the out and back on the footbridge past the finish area.

Olympic and Half Finisher Medal Designs

We are excited to announce new distance-specific finisher’s medals this year. All Finishers will receive a Finisher Medal for either the Olympic Distance or Half Distance events. We thought you might enjoy seeing the final version and look forward to seeing athletes proudly wearing one on race day.

What Are People Saying About Barrelman?

Watch the athlete interviews on Barrelman TV to gather plenty of tips before race weekend!

Barrelman In Slowtwitch News

If you haven’t heard about Barrelman or you know someone who may be interested, here is a great article which recently appear on the Slowtwitch website.

Age Group Qualifying Spots

The Barrelman Event will offer 1 (one) spot per Age Group in the following sub-events:

1 – Long Course Triathlon

2 – Long Course Aqua Bike

Please visit this page HERE for more info on qualifying for the 2026 Age Group National Team with MultiSport Canada. An Expression of Interest (EOI) must be submitted by Friday, Sept 12th. Please visit Triathlon Canada to submit your EOI. 

We hope to see many familiar faces again this year and hope to see lots of new ones as well. Please say hello on race weekend.

John Salt – Founder, MultiSport Canada and Barrelman Race Director

Jason Vurma – President, MultiSport Canada and Barrelman Technical Director

Carolynne Simons – Communications Director, MultiSport Canada and Barrelman Niagara Falls