Officials reschedule Redding’s 2027 and 2028 Ironman races to May

Officials with the Ironman triathlon organization have rescheduled the 2027 and 2028 Ironman 70.3 Northern California races to May instead of August to coincide with better outdoor conditions. The update is a result of the success of this year’s race. 

The Ironman is contracted to be held in Redding for three consecutive years, and when it was announced last year that the races would be taking place in August, Shasta locals expressed their surprise given the area’s hot temperatures during that time of the year. This year’s race ended up being cooler than what many expected, as temperatures didn’t hit 90 degrees until the early afternoon. 

Redding Sports Commissioner Tim Bauer told Shasta Scout that when the August dates were originally proposed as part of the three-year agreement, officials discussed the potential for future dates to be adjusted, dependent on race success. 

“IRONMAN explained that any date changes would be evaluated based on several factors,” Bauer said in an email statement, “including registration performance, the overall success of the first-year race, and feedback from post-race athlete surveys.” 

Bauer said that because of how successful the inaugural race was — more than 1,700 athletes registered for it, and pro racers gave “glowing reviews” — the Redding Sports Commission requested a date change so that the next races could provide a better experience for athletes, their families and the local community. The commission proposed May as the ideal time of year for racers to experience Redding’s natural beauty, enhance the visitor experience and increase athlete registration, Bauer said. The request was approved. 

Next year’s race will take place on May 23, which is about a week after the Redding Rodeo and a week before Memorial Day weekend. General registration for Redding’s 2027 Ironman 70.3 opened on Sept. 17, and Bauer said nearly 700 athletes have already registered, adding that he hopes the 2027 race will be sold out at 2,500 athletes. 

“The Redding Sports Commission is thrilled that the success of our inaugural race helped secure a May race date for future Dignity Health IRONMAN 70.3 Northern California events,” Bauer wrote. “We look forward to welcoming athletes from around the world back to Redding during one of Northern California’s most beautiful seasons, where they can experience a fresh and exciting spring race!”

The race, which includes swimming, biking and running, brought in thousands of tourists this past August, comprising nearly 1,400 racers, their families and friends and hundreds of volunteers. Several seasoned athletes who competed in the triathlon said after this year’s race that Shasta’s course was one of the best they’ve competed on for its beauty, challenge and community support. 

The 2028 race will be held on May 21, and it’ll be Ironman’s 50th anniversary, so officials are planning exciting things for that race, Bauer said. 

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