When most people hear IRONMAN, they probably think Robert Downey Jr. or maybe Black Sabbath or even Philadelphia Eagles’ Hall of Famer and the NFL’s last Iron Man, Chuck Bednarik. But for the next three years – and hopefully longer – IRONMAN will have a special meaning here in Happy Valley. Through 2025, nearly 3,000 ironmen and ironwomen will descend upon Happy Valley annually for the IRONMAN 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley Triathlon.

For the more than 2,400 elite athletes that competed in the inaugural IRONMAN® 70.3® Pennsylvania Happy Valley triathlon, crossing the finish line at Beaver Stadium marked a moment of tremendous pride and personal accomplishment. Months and months of preparation and planning were followed by day-of determination and grit to achieve the goal of IRONMAN success. For first-time participants, it was a particularly noteworthy milestone.

The IRONMAN 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley Team and the Happy Valley Sports and Entertainment Alliance would like to thank you for your hospitality and patience during the 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 Pennsylvania.

When Ezra Nanes and his wife Mieke moved from New York City to State College so he could pursue his MBA at the Smeal College of Business at Penn State, he never imagined what would come next. Thirteen years later, Mieke has a thriving physical therapy practice, they’ve added another child to their family, and they’ve fallen in love with Happy Valley, Pennsylvania.

Lifelong Surfer Matt Grube lived in Hawaii before moving to Happy Valley and yes, he’s well aware that there are no waves. Matt has embraced the outdoor recreation that Central Pennsylvania has to offer.

Happy Valley residents and visitors can join in the fun and energy that IRONMAN 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley will be bringing to town this July.

Competitive athletes Maure Irwin-Furmanek and Bob Furmanek have raced across the country. Here’s why training for a triathlon in their own backyard — and finishing on the 50-yard line of Beaver Stadium — is especially meaningful to them.

Volunteers are needed for the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Pennsylvania Happy Valley this summer.

The IRONMAN HAPPY VALLEY triathlon is set for July 2, 2023, and IRONMAN asks for the support of the community to pitch in to help. More than 1,200 volunteers will be needed leading up to race day. Individuals and groups are encouraged to sign up to volunteer.