MEDIA
Back Mountain Triathlon Athlete Stories: Cone brings perspective of competitor and organizer
For most sports fans, the words “Happy Valley” conjure up images of a sea of blue and white, the deafening roar of 100,000 football fans, and the legendary turf of Beaver Stadium.
But on June 14, the iconic home of the Nittany Lions will serve as the backdrop for an entirely different kind of competition. Roughly 1,800 athletes from all over North America will run onto the field, during the fourth annual IRONMAN 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley.
Paula Findlay Claims Fourth Ironman 70.3 North American Championship
Paula Findlay began racing in 2006, as she recently shared on The Women’s Race Podcast hosted by fellow professional triathlete Jackie Hering. Now in her 21st season of competition, the Canadian star continues to perform at the highest level, capturing her fourth Ironman 70.3 North American Championship title this weekend in Happy Valley, Pennsylvania.
The term “masterclass” may be overused, but it is difficult to find a better description of Findlay’s performance. She executed her race with precision from start to finish, building a decisive advantage and never giving her competitors an opportunity to challenge for the win.
On the Ground at Ironman 70.3 Happy Valley: Here's what we learned from the pro panel and the key storylines to watch ahead of the Ironman 70.3 North American Championship.
There is always a certain buzz when you drive up to the Athlete Village and start to feel the pre-race energy among both age-groupers and pros. Today in Happy Valley was no different.
This marks the seventh stop of the 2026 Ironman Pro Series, as well as the Ironman 70.3 North American Championship. Here are the key storylines and insights that emerged from the pro panel ahead of tomorrow’s race.
‘This community comes out': Athletes, spectators relish Ironman 70.3 Happy Valley
On Sunday, athletes swam at Bald Eagle State Park, cycled up Nittany Summit and ran through Penn State’s Beaver Stadium at the Ironman 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley North American Championship.
North American champions crowned at Ironman 70.3 Happy Valley
Ironman 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley returned for its fourth year on a cloudy and mostly comfortable Sunday, and for the first time the event served as both a Pro Series stop and the North American Championships .
Inside look at the 2026 Ironman 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley triathlon
More than 1,600 took part in Sunday’s Ironman 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley North American Championship, a triathlon that covers 70.3 miles of swimming, cycling and running in Centre and Clinton counties.
Foley Prevails in Epic Duel While Findlay Cruises to a Third Straight North American Championship Title in Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
The 2026 IRONMAN® 70.3® Pennsylvania Happy Valley North American Championship delivered a thrilling day of elite competition in central Pennsylvania, as American Trevor Foley and Canadian Paula Findlay captured North American Championship titles and maximum Experience Oman IRONMAN Pro Series points against a deep field of global talent.
State College Set to Host IRONMAN 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley North America Championship on Sunday, June 14
The IRONMAN® 70.3® Pennsylvania Happy Valley North America Championship triathlon returns to State College, Pa. this weekend, bringing together one of the most competitive professional fields in North America alongside more than 1,700 amateur athletes. As part of the 2026 Experience Oman IRONMAN Pro Series, the event marks the first time Happy Valley has hosted both an IRONMAN Pro Series event and the IRONMAN 70.3 North America Championship, elevating the race to one of the premier stops on the global triathlon calendar. Athletes will take on a 70.3-mile (113 km) course beginning with 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 and culminate with a 13.1-mile run on the campus of Penn State University including a unique finish line experience outside of iconic Beaver Stadium.
Start List Revealed: Historic First for Happy Valley as Experience Oman IRONMAN Pro Series and IRONMAN 70.3 North American Championship Arrive in Central Pennsylvania
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (May 28, 2026) – For the first time, the Experience Oman IRONMAN® Pro Series will make its way to the Keystone State for its seventh stop of 2026, when State College hosts the IRONMAN® 70.3® Pennsylvania Happy Valley North American Championship on Sunday, June 14.
With 2,500 Experience Oman IRONMAN Pro Series points on offer and a total professional prize purse of $75,000 USD up for grabs, the race is poised to play a key role in Series standings. In addition to the professional racing, a strong field of age-group athletes will take to the course, adding to the energy and championship atmosphere in the heart of Happy Valley, marking the first time the IRONMAN 70.3 North American Championship has been hosted in Pennsylvania.
WHEN AN EVENT BECOMES PART OF THE COMMUNITY: MORE THAN A RACE DAY
IRONMAN® has become a staple event in Happy Valley and has seen evolution in the community over the years. What started as a three-year contract with hesitations about bringing a big race brand into town has now turned into the community seeking its return. In its final year of the contract in 2025, athletes who competed participated in a survey, and Happy Valley was given a 96.71% rating in Host City Experience. Happy Valley loves IRONMAN® just as much as the athletes love Happy Valley. Because of this, and the challenging course that athletes love, Happy Valley’s event has been given the honorable title of North American Championship in 2026.
‘This is a big deal:’ National championship coming to Happy Valley
A national championship is coming to Happy Valley, and tourism officials expect it to be a big win for the area. The Ironman 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley has been running for several years, with Race Director Josh Cone saying they have seen thousands of participants. Now the organization announced that Happy Valley will be hosting the Ironman 70.3 North American Championship June 14, 2026. Registration for the event will open for priority registration this Thursday, August 28 at 12pm ET and for general registration on Tuesday, September 2 at 12pm ET by visiting www.ironman.com/races/im703-pennsylvania.
IRONMAN 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley Selected to Host IRONMAN 70.3 North American Championship
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 Saturday, 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 for priority registration this Thursday, August 28 at 12pm ET and for general registration on Tuesday, September 2 at 12pm ET by visiting www.ironman.com/races/im703-pennsylvania.
Happy Valley IRONMAN Sees Continued Support, New Course Records in 3rd Year
Despite a rainy Father’s Day, more than 1,000 athletes and hundreds of cheering fans filled Penn State’s campus for the third annual IIRONMAN 70.3 Happy Valley on June 15, 2025. The event challenged participants with a 70.3-mile course, starting with a 1.2-mile swim at Foster Sayers Reservoir, followed by a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run through campus.
Happy Valley recognized in 2024 Ironman Athletes’ Choice Awards
Happy Valley’s IRONMAN 70.3 race has earned national recognition, ranking third in Overall Satisfaction among all North American races in the 2024 Ironman Athletes’ Choice Awards.
Volunteers Still Needed for 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley
The 2025 IRONMAN® 70.3® Pennsylvania Happy Valley triathlon is coming up fast, and while the athletes are training hard for race day, the event still needs a strong team of volunteers to make it all happen.
Get Involved: Volunteer Recruitment Night for IRONMAN 70.3 Happy Valley
Join us for the IRONMAN 70.3 PA Happy Valley Volunteer Recruitment Night on May 6, 2025, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at Boal City Brewing in Boalsburg, PA! Learn about volunteer opportunities, meet the team, and enjoy a free beer and light refreshments while getting ready for race day excitement.
Join Us For AN IRONMAN 70.3 PA HV Volunteer Recruitment Night
The 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 PA HV Pennsylvania Happy Valley triathlon is approaching fast, and we need enthusiastic volunteers to help make this event a success! If you've ever wanted to be part of an exciting endurance race, now is your chance. Join us for an Ironman 70.3 PA HV Volunteer Recruitment Night to learn how you can contribute.
Volunteering at the 2025 IRONMAN® 70.3® Pennsylvania Happy Valley: A Chance to Make a Difference
The 2025 IRONMAN® 70.3® Pennsylvania Happy Valley triathlon is fast approaching, and while athletes will be giving their all on race day, volunteers are the unsung heroes who help make this event truly unforgettable. If you’re looking for a way to get involved in one of the most exciting events of the year, volunteering is the perfect opportunity to show your support and be part of something special.
2024 Athletes’ Choice Awards Winners announced for IRONMAN 70.3 Triathlons across North America
IRONMAN has announced the results of its 2024 Athletes’ Choice Awards, highlighting the top-scoring events in a variety of categories based on athletes’ post-event surveys from all of last year’s IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 races globally.
Race-Cation IRONMAN 70.3 Giveaway!
Are you planning to race in the 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley? How does a free stay over race weekend sound? The Race-cation Prize Package offers an $850 value to three lucky winners who sign up for the 2025 race!