IRONMAN® 70.3® returning to Happy Valley, PA
STATE COLLEGE, PA, Sept. 9, 2026 – The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB) and the Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance (HVSEA) today announced a multi-year contract extension that will see Centre County and a portion of Clinton County host the IRONMAN® 70.3® Pennsylvania Happy Valley, PA triathlon through 2029.
“Hosting IRONMAN® 70.3® Pennsylvania Happy Valley is an incredible opportunity for the county and the region,” said Eric Engelbarts, HVAB President and CEO. “As we continue building a reputation for endurance competitions that put us on the global stage, we are thrilled that this elite event will call Happy Valley home for the next three years.”
The 2027 IRONMAN® 70.3® Pennsylvania Happy Valley competition will be held on Sunday, May 23.
Adding to the excitement, Engelbarts said the 2027 competition will again serve as an Experience Oman Pro Series race, one of just 16 such IRONMAN® and IRONMAN® 70.3® events in the world to host the Pro Series.
“Happy Valley will be hosting some of the best athletes in the world,” Engelbarts said, adding that Pro Series races are televised live and globally on the IRONMAN® Pro Series Website and IRONMAN® YouTube channel, along with multiple additional platforms, bringing tremendous exposure to the area.
"We are incredibly proud that Happy Valley and State College have once again been selected to host an Experience Oman IRONMAN Pro Series event in 2027," said Scott Straugh, Regional Director for The IRONMAN Group. "This community has established itself as one of the premier destinations in our global race portfolio, offering a challenging and rewarding course that brings out the very best in professional athletes. As competitors chase valuable IRONMAN Pro Series points against the backdrop of one of Pennsylvania's most beautiful regions, they will also experience the unmatched support, energy, and hospitality that make Happy Valley such a special place to race. We look forward to showcasing this incredible destination to athletes and fans from around the world once again."
Engelbarts welcomed the new, earlier date, explaining that the Happy Valley swim, bike and run course is viewed as an ideal training course for athletes preparing to compete in the full Lake Placid, NY IRONMAN® later in the summer.
This means the 2027 IRONMAN® 70.3® Pennsylvania Happy Valley has the potential to host a similar or even larger field of competitors than 2026, when 1,800 athletes from 44 states and 10 countries competed.
“This event brings 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,” Engelbarts said. “The success of IRONMAN® here couldn’t happen without the amazing support of local race directors, community volunteers, and government and emergency services agencies in Centre and Clinton counties.
“We are thrilled with the way in which the local community has fully embraced this race and its competitors,” he continued. “Hosting IRONMAN® provides incredible direct and indirect economic benefits to Centre County and the region. We look forward to the next three years and are ready for 2027!”
Priority registration opens Sept. 15.
General registration opens Sept. 17.
Happy Valley, PA has hosted IRONMAN® 70.3® Pennsylvania Happy Valley since 2023.