Chattanooga to Host IRONMAN Event

Chattanooga will play host to the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships September 9 -10, 2017, becoming the first city in the world to host four IRONMAN events in one year.

Dubbed as the “Scenic City” due to its proximity to Lookout Mountain, striking riverfront and vibrant downtown, Chattanooga’s dramatic backdrop, idyllic weather and laidback southern charm make it the ideal destination for sporting events.

Already host to annual IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events, Chattanooga provides a fast course with a swim in the Tennessee River. Four bridges cross the river over the swim and a pedestrian Riverwalk runs along the entire swim course making it ideal for spectators. Chattanooga is full of attractions, eclectic dining spots and great places to stay.

The destination also hosts hundreds of other sports events annually including ChattaJack 31, IRONMAN Chattanooga and ISA Adult World Championship.

The destination is home to a wide-range of sporting facilities, including Camp Jordan Arena/Sports Complex, a picturesque park with 13 Musco-lighted baseball/softball fields and 12 soccer fields, Chattanooga Lookouts AT&T Field, McKenzie Stadium and Finley Stadium, Chattanooga’s 20,668-seat football/ soccer stadium.

Sport Event / Venue Updates in 2017:

• NCAA DIII Tennis Championships: NCAA has chosen the Scenic City has a host destination for the 2017 DIII Men's and Women's Tennis Championships on May 22- 27, 2017.

• Chattanooga opens $16 million, 3-mile Tennessee Riverpark extension: Chattanooga’s Riverpark has been recognized as one of the best in the nation by CNN, Thrillist, and more. The new 3-mile extension runs along the Tennessee River to the base of Lookout Mountain on Broad Street and leads people along the city’s industrial heritage. The expansion includes: Riverpark Amphitheater at Blue Goose Hollow (site of Bessie Smith’s first home and where she began singing for coins as a young girl), Chattanooga Bike Share station, landscaped trail and green spaces, new vistas of the Tennessee River, pavilion, restrooms, public art, and more. (Opened Aug. 2016)

• Chattanooga creates new sporting event - The Erlanger Chattanooga Marathon: The inaugural Erlanger Chattanooga Marathon took place in March of 2016. This year’s marathon weekend includes: Expo, Kids Fun Run, 5K, Team Relay, Half and Full marathons, Michelob Ultra Happy Hour experience, and live music on Friday night from 5-7 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The never-competed-on courses feature scenic views throughout the Downtown, North Shore and St. Elmo areas. This event came together as a collaborative effort between government, civic and several other community organizations. (March 3-5, 2017)

• Chattanooga first city on the planet to host four IRONMAN events: Chattanooga will host the 2017 IRONMAN® 70.3® World Championships that will take place over two days: professional and age-group women will race on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, and the professional and age-group men will race on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. Hosting this event makes Chattanooga: 1 of 5 cities in North America to host both a full-distance IRONMAN and a 70.3 IRONMAN; 1 of 10 cities in the world to host both a full-distance IRONMAN and a 70.3 IRONMAN; and the ONLY city on the planet to host a full-distance IRONMAN, a 70.3 IRONMAN and the 70.3 IRONMAN World Championships (two events, two days). (Sept. 9-10, 2017)