Chattanooga, Tennessee to host the eleventh USA Ironman

Putting an end to months of speculation in North America, World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) announced overnight the latest addition to it’s U.S. IRONMAN series. Submissions were made to WTC some time ago from several towns in the US’s Southeast region little has been heard regarding a decision since.

The event is penned in for September 28th, 2014, making it an Autumn race which should mean mild conditions, suitable for good racing.

With 50 AG slots for the World Championships in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, this brings the total number of slots available in North America to approximately 700 – or about half the slots available worldwide.

The Southeastern U.S. has been steadily growing its love for multisport and, today, IRONMAN announces Chattanooga, Tennessee as the site of the eleventh race in the IRONMAN U.S. Series.  The event will debut on Sunday, September 28, 2014, showcasing the city’s dramatic landscapes and idyllic weather.

“We selected Chattanooga as it is a beautiful city and a premier outdoor sports destination. We are thrilled to bring IRONMAN here and to partner with the city to deliver a top level event,” says Andrew Messick, Chief Executive Officer of IRONMAN.

IRONMAN Chattanooga will begin with a single-loop, 2.4-mile swim in the Tennessee River with ample spectator vantage points alongside the city’s famous Riverwalk. Athletes can look forward to fast splits on a downstream course. The bike will be a two-loop, 56-mile course with scenic farmland and mountain views. The two-and-a-half loop 26.2-mile run course will showcase beautiful downtown Chattanooga, the South Side, Riverview and the North Shore. Athletes can expect a fast, rolling course.

According to Chattanooga mayor Andy Berke, the city is already home to a thriving athletic community. “Chattanooga was a natural fit for this event,” he says, adding that the race will introduce the city to a whole new breed of athletes. Berke says he looks forward to seeing how the IRONMAN event grows over the next few years as it builds upon the city’s reputation as an outdoor adventure destination.

The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) has been named the Official Charity Partner of the inaugural event. CCFA will send a team of up to 100 athletes through Team Challenge, their endurance training and fundraising program. The program participants will raise funds for research, education and support for the 1.4 million Americans suffering from Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis—two debilitating digestive diseases that affect 1 in 200 Americans, including 150,000 children nationwide.

IRONMAN Chattanooga will have a $25,000 USD professional prize purse and will be a P-2000 race. The race will offer 50 age group slots to the 2015 IRONMAN World Championship taking place on Oct. 10, 2015 in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.