IRONMAN 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley Selected to Host IRONMAN 70.3 North American Championship
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. / TAMPA, Fla. (Aug. 26, 2025) – IRONMAN has announced that the IRONMAN® 70.3® Pennsylvania Happy Valley triathlon has been selected to host the IRONMAN 70.3 North American Championship in 2026. The event will return to central Pennsylvania on Sunday, June 14, 2026, offering a North American Championship title, elevated professional prize purse, and increased age group qualifying opportunities for the 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Nice, France. Registration for the event will open with priority registration this Thursday, August 28 and general registration on Tuesday, September 2 by visiting www.ironman.com/races/im703-pennsylvania.
“We are thrilled to bring the IRONMAN 70.3 North American Championship race to State College and the Happy Valley Community to showcase this beautiful venue,” said AJ Sills, Northeast Regional Director for IRONMAN. “State College has been a phenomenal host since the event was launched in 2023, and we could not be prouder to see this event host some of the best athletes from around the World next June with this prestigious designation.”
“Being selected to host the IRONMAN 70.3 North American Championship race is a tremendous opportunity for Happy Valley,” said Eric Engelbarts, Executive Director of the Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance. “This event will bring thousands of athletes, families, and fans to our region, creating a powerful economic impact for our local businesses while showcasing Happy Valley as a premier sports tourism destination. We are proud to continue building a reputation that puts our region on the global stage.”
"We are thrilled that the IRONMAN® 70.3® Series is returning to Happy Valley in a big way,” said Fritz Smith, President and CEO of The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. “From a visitation perspective, hosting the North American Championship is of course wonderful news. But it means more than that. For the past three years, the community has fully embraced the event – from turning out in large numbers to volunteer or to simply cheer on these elite athletes. This announcement is equally fantastic news for residents, whom I am confident will be ready to show competitors and their families true Happy Valley hospitality.”
Located in the heart of Central Pennsylvania, Centre County is home to Penn State University. The picturesque scenery of Pennsylvania is easily accessible by just a few hours' drive or a short flight. Head to Penns Valley and Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park for a boat ride tour through America’s ONLY All-Water Cavern & Farm-Nature-Wildlife Park. This region offers visitors and locals alike plenty to do year-round, everything from concerts, historic site tours and museums, exploring the trails, fishing, and boating in the area’s many lakes and rivers. Whatever one’s definition of adventure is, it can be found in Happy Valley, Pennsylvania.
The 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley North American Championship race will treat athletes to a 1.2-mile swim in Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir at Bald Eagle State Park, a scenic 56-mile bike ride through the beautiful rolling hills of Centre and Clinton Counties, culminating with a 13.1-mile run on the campus of Penn State University including a unique finish line experience for athletes alongside the iconic Beaver Stadium, home to the Penn State University Nittany Lions.
For more information about the 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley North American Championship triathlon, visit www.ironman.com/im703-pennsylvania. For more information on the IRONMAN® brand and global event series, please visit www.ironman.com. Media inquiries may be directed to press@ironman.com.