More than 3,000 registered elite and age-group athletes from around the world, representing 23 countries and 48 states, will compete in the Sunbelt Bakery IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga triathlon on Sunday. The race is presented by McKee A Family Bakery.
Athletes range in age from 18, Colin Bonds from Luka, Ms., to 86, Bob Scott from Naperville, Ill. Occupations include attorney, business owner, dentist, construction, nurse and teacher.
A list of registered elite professional athletes can be found here.
The race will begin Sunday at 6:50 p.m. The first male finisher is expected at approximately 10:35 a.m., with the first female winner approximately 20 minutes later.
The official race finish will be at approximately 4:30 p.m. (8 hours and 30 minutes after the final athlete enters the water).
The race begins with a 1.2-mile swim on the Tennessee River, ending at Ross’s Landing. Next is a 56-mile bike race. The single-loop bike course leads athletes along a rolling course with scenic views as they parallel Lookout Mountain. The race concludes with a 13.1-mile run. The 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 will be 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.
A professional prize purse of $30,000 is up for grabs as well as 75 age-group qualifying slots to the 2017 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, taking place in Chattanooga.
The IRONKIDS Chattanooga Fun Run presented by Sunbelt Bakery will take place at 9 a.m. on Saturday 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.