CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (November 5, 2014) – IRONMAN announced today that Chattanooga has been selected to host the 26th race in the IRONMAN® 70.3® U.S. Series with Sunbelt Bakery as the title sponsor. The inaugural Sunbelt Bakery IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga triathlon will take place on Sunday, May 17, 2015.
“After the phenomenal success of Little Debbie IRONMAN® Chattanooga, we are extremely excited to add an IRONMAN 70.3 race, providing another opportunity for athletes to race and take in the beauty of this area,” said Andrew Messick, Chief Executive Officer of IRONMAN. “Chattanooga proved to be an incredible host this past September and we look forward to expanding our relationship with this great community.”
Sunbelt Bakery IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga will lead athletes through a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run on nearly the same course as IRONMAN Chattanooga. The IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga race will start with a point-to-point 1.2-mile swim down the Tennessee River. Athletes will exit the water and transition at Ross’s Landing Park before starting a one-loop 56-mile bike course that will travel through north Georgia and historic Chickamauga. The course will feature incredible mountain views as it parallels Lookout Mountain. Athletes will then begin the double-loop 13.1-mile run through the “Scenic City.” After running through downtown Chattanooga, The Tennessee Riverwalk, Veterans Bridge, North Shore, Walnut Street Bridge and the beautiful Riverfront Parkway, athletes will come to a triumphant finish at Ross’s Landing.
“It’s truly an honor to be chosen to host an additional IRONMAN event. This speaks volumes for the collaborative efforts of our community. According to IRONMAN, we are one of only 10 cities globally that host both an IRONMAN and an IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon. That’s phenomenal. Including participants, families and spectators, we’re expecting more than 6,000 people and an estimated economic impact of $3-4 million annually. We strategically booked this date for a time when we need the business,” said Bob Doak, President & CEO of the Chattanooga Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “I want to thank Mayors Jim Coppinger and Andy Berke for their unwavering support and personal involvement in helping to secure these events."
Jim Coppinger, Mayor of Hamilton County said, “We are extremely proud that IRONMAN chose Chattanooga to host an IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon. It’s exciting that the spotlight continues to be on Hamilton County. We have the infrastructure for hosting events like this, from world-class natural amenities for the athletes to providing an exceptional experience for the spectators. We know these events would not happen without community support. I want to say a special thank you to Chris McKee, Sunbelt Bakery and the McKee family for their support as the title sponsor.”
“On September 28, IRONMAN participants and event organizers experienced a Chattanooga eager and ready to welcome them. It's a testament to our city's spirit, organization, and natural resources to have the honor of hosting not just a signature IRONMAN event, but now the IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon. I want to thank everyone who has been involved in securing these events and especially the McKee family and Sunbelt Bakery for their title sponsorship,” said Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke.
Sunbelt Bakery IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga will offer 30 age group slots to the 2015 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship taking place on August 30, 2015 in Zell am See-Kaprun, SalzburgerLand, Austria.
General registration for Sunbelt Bakery IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga will open Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at 12:00 pm ET at www.ironman.com/chattanooga70.3. For more information on the IRONMAN brand and global event series, visit www.ironman.com. Athlete inquiries may be directed to chattanooga70.3@ironman.com. Media may contact press@ironman.com.
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ABOUT IRONMAN
The iconic IRONMAN® Series of events is the largest participation sports platform in the world. Since the inception of the IRONMAN® brand in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines at the world’s most challenging endurance races. Recognized for excellence through distinguished events, world-class athletes and quality products, IRONMAN has grown from a single race to a global sensation with more than 190 events across five unique brands: IRONMAN®, IRONMAN 70.3®, 5150™ Triathlon Series, Iron Girl® and IRONKIDS®. For more information, visit www.ironman.com.
ABOUT SUNBELT® BAKERY
McKee Foods, a family-owned company based in Collegedale, Tenn., introduced the Sunbelt Bakery brand in 1982. The Sunbelt Bakery brand includes cereal and snack products, including chewy granola bars, fruit and grain cereal bars, and cereals. To learn more about Sunbelt Bakery snacks and cereals, visit www.sunbeltbakery.com.
