Chattanooga is all set to host the 2022 IRONMAN 70.3 North American Championship. The 2022 Sunbelt Bakery IRONMAN 70.3 North American Championship Chattanooga presented by McKee A Family Bakery offers a total professional prize purse of $75,000. Live event coverage will be broadcast on Outside TV.
The race will offer 75 qualifying slots to the 2022 Intermountain Healthcare IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship presented by Utah Sports Commission in St. George, Utah, taking place on Oct. 28 and 29.
The course will lead athletes along a 1.4-mile swim down the Tennessee River, a 56-mile bike through the historic Chickamauga, and a 13.1-mile run through downtown Chattanooga.
Coverage on Outside TV starts at 6:30 a.m.
The event will welcome over 3,500 registered participants from 25 countries and 49 states. Anna Lee Scroggs, 18, is the youngest female athlete racing and Andrew Ardise, 18, from Madison, N.J. is the youngest male athlete racing. Natalie Grabow, 76, from Mountain Lakes, N.J. is the oldest female athlete racing and Robert Heins, 82, from Plattsburgh, N.Y. is the oldest male athlete racing. Occupations include attorney, airline pilot, clergy, dentist, flight attendant, fire fighter, engineer, healthcare professional, scientist, musician, lifeguard, and writer/publisher. For a full list of professional athletes, visit here.
Schedule: Friday
2-7 p.m. - IRONMAN Village and Athlete Check-In open – Ross’s Landing
3 and 5 p.m. - Athlete Briefing – Ross’s Landing
Saturday
9 a.m. – IRONKIDS Chattanooga Fun Run – Ross’s Landing
10 a.m.-4 p.m. - IRONMAN Village and Athlete Check-In – Ross’s Landing
10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. - Mandatory Bike Check-In – Ross’s Landing
1-3 p.m. - Race For Change IRONMAN Community Event – YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga
Sunday – Race Day
4:30-6:15 a.m. Transition area open – Ross’s Landing
6:30 a.m. Pre-Race Show begins on Outside TV
6:50 a.m. Professional Men & Women Race Starts – 1.4 miles upriver from Ross’s Landing
7 a.m. Age Group Race Start – 1.4 miles upriver from Ross’s Landing
Approx. 10:30 a.m. First finisher expected at the finish line.
Approx. 4:50 p.m. Race Ends (8.5 hours after the last athlete enters the water)
Full event schedule can be found here.
LIVE race coverage of the 2022 Sunbelt Bakery IRONMAN 70.3 North American Championship Chattanooga presented by McKee A Family Bakery triathlon to air on Outside TV. Coverage of the event will feature several camera angles and locations that will immerse viewers into all the action.
Coverage will begin with a pre-race show at 6:30 a.m. that previews the pro field and course while also including exclusive interviews with triathlon personalities and other special guests. Live broadcast programming features 11 IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon events throughout the 2022 season, including the 2022 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship. For information on the 2022 IRONMAN 70.3 event broadcast, visit here.
The IRONMAN Foundation’s diversity initiative Race For Change continues to build awareness and expand outreach with the formation of three relay teams comprised of nine athletes of color to compete in the 2022 Sunbelt Bakery IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga North American Championship presented by McKee A Family Bakery. Individuals affiliated from Black Kids Swim, Black Runners Connection, and Major Taylor International Cycling Alliance will make up the teams.
In addition to showcasing the Race For Change relay teams, The IRONMAN Foundation will host a special community event in partnership with the Chattanooga Sports Commission and the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga on Saturday at the YMCA downtown facility from 1-3 p.m. The community event will feature guest speakers, triathletes, and a youth swim clinic. More information on Race For Change can be found here.
The 2022 Sunbelt Bakery IRONMAN 70.3 North American Championship Chattanooga presented by McKee A Family Bakery will feature the Gold Star Initiative. Through the Gold Star Initiative, IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 athletes who have served in the U.S. military carry the American flag during the run portion of the event and present it to a Gold Star Family. This program allows athletes to play a part in the healing process of those families who have lost a loved one in the name of freedom.
Scott Nelson will be the Gold Star Initiative Athlete at Sunbelt Bakery IRONMAN 70.3 North American Championship Chattanooga presented by McKee A Family Bakery. Mr. Nelson served in the US Army from 1987-2010 as a 12B combat engineer. He will carry the American flag during the run portion of the race in honor of his brother, Sergeant First Class Edward Nelson, who was killed on De. 16, 2006, in an auto accident while serving in Iraq. More information and a list of 2022 Gold Star Initiative races can be found here.