More than 3,000 registered elite and age-group athletes from around the world representing 18 countries and 43 states will gather in Chattanooga on Sunday for the Sunbelt Bakery IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga triathlon.
Athletes range in age from 19, Austin Faerber from Wildwood, Mo. to 81, Hunter Temple from Santa Fe, N.M. Occupations include attorney, business owner, construction, nurse and teacher.
The race start is at 6:50 a.m. At approximately 10:35 a.m. the first (male) finisher is expected at the finish line with the female winner to follow by approximately 20 minutes.
The race ends at approximately 4:30 p.m., eight hours and 30 minutes after the final athlete enters the water.
The 1.2-mile swim is at the Tennessee River, ending at Ross’s Landing. The 56-mile bike, single-loop bike course leads athletes along a rolling course with scenic views as they parallel Lookout Mountain. The 13.1-mile run is a two-loop run course offers athletes the chance to see the Scenic City as they run through downtown Chattanooga, The Tennessee Riverwalk, Veterans Bridge, North Shore, Walnut Street Bridge and the Riverfront Parkway. The finish line is at Ross’s Landing along the Tennessee River.
Details of the course can be found here. Details of the local traffic impact can be found here. Best places to watch the race can be found here.
Athletes will compete in a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run in the event that showcases downtown Chattanooga and its surrounding scenic areas. A professional prize purse of $25,000 is up for grabs as well as 30 age-group qualifying slots to the 2016 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, taking place in Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.
The Sunbelt Bakery Mascot race will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Friday at Ross’s Landing. Characters that will participate include Otis and Chip from McKee Foods, Sandy the Shark from Tennessee Aquarium, Rocky from Rock City, Looie from Chattanooga Lookouts and Scrappy from UTC.
The IRONKIDS Chattanooga Fun Run presented by Sunbelt Bakery will take place at 6 p.m. on Friday at Ross’s Landing. Children between the ages of 3-14 will participate in a half-mile or 1 mile fun run course. For more information, click here.