Ontario Investing $15,000 to Support XTERRA Sleeping Giant Sports Festival
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Provincial funding will help attract more athletes and spectators to world-class event while boosting tourism in Thunder Bay region
News Release | August 14, 2026
THUNDER BAY — The Ontario government is investing $15,000 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to help the Thunder Bay Timing Organization host the 2026 XTERRA Sleeping Giant, an off-road, multi-sport festival taking place August 13-16 in the City of Thunder Bay. As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario, the province is supporting festivals and events across northern Ontario that attract visitors, increase tourism spending and boost local economies.
“By supporting XTERRA Sleeping Giant – the only event of its kind in Thunder Bay – we are attracting elite and amateur endurance athletes and outdoor enthusiasts to the Thunder Bay region,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “In addition to boosting tourism and strengthening the regional economy, this NOHFC investment will highlight northwestern Ontario as a world-class destination for outdoor recreation and sport.”
XTERRA Sleeping Giant is an internationally recognized annual event that attracts participants from across Canada and the United States. Known for its scenic courses, it features triathlon, duathlon and trail running competitions in a natural landscape. The festival offers races for a wide range of ages, abilities and experience levels, with the full-distance off-road triathlon serving as its marquee race.
Thunder Bay Timing Organization – a volunteer-run, not-for-profit group that promotes and organizes local multi-sport and endurance events – is using NOHFC funding to support festival costs, such as licensing fees, course development, safety measures and program delivery.
“We are extremely grateful for NOHFC support through this $15,000 investment in the XTERRA Sleeping Giant off-road festival,” said Brent Maranzan, Board President, Thunder Bay Timing Organization. “This funding has been nothing short of transformational for our organization and our ability to sustainably provide this amazing event to the community of Thunder Bay and the surrounding region. Our goal is to make this a key destination event on the XTERRA World Tour for many years to come and put Thunder Bay on the map as a unique and premier destination for outdoor events and enthusiasts. We’ve already begun to realize this vision – our event this year has seen an increase in out-of-town participants of almost 100 per cent.”
“The XTERRA Sleeping Giant Off Road Festival is a great opportunity to showcase Thunder Bay’s incredible natural landscape while bringing athletes, families and visitors to our community," said Kevin Holland, Member of Provincial Parliament for Thunder Bay - Atikokan. "I'm happy to see a $15,000 investment through the NOHFC to support this event, helping strengthen sport tourism, support local businesses and create another reason for people to experience everything Northwestern Ontario has to offer.”
The Ontario government is prioritizing investments through the NOHFC that protect northern industries and jobs, mitigate the impacts of U.S. tariffs and trade disruptions and secure new opportunities for the long-term prosperity of northern Ontario. The renewed focus is boosting competitiveness and ensuring the North remains a leader in Ontario’s economy. This new direction is in addition to the province’s investment of an additional $30 million over three years, bringing the NOHFC’s annual budget to a total of $110 million. Together, these initiatives will benefit communities of all sizes, both rural and urban, including Indigenous communities.
Quick Facts
Through its funding programs, the NOHFC offers support to public and private sector economic development projects across Northern Ontario.
Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $1 billion in over 8,600 projects in northern Ontario, leveraging more than $3.3 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 13,400 jobs.
Additional Resources
The NOHFC, Northern Development Offices and Small Business Enterprise Centres support northern communities, businesses and other stakeholders in identifying economic development opportunities and government funding programs.
