Road closures, special events and thousands of tourists: Here’s what to know about Ironman weekend
The Ironman triathlon will be held in Shasta on Aug. 16, and it’s expected to draw thousands of athletes, supporters and staff. Traffic impacts will largely be felt Sunday morning, but community events will be held throughout the weekend.
This Sunday, more than 1,600 athletes will be racing throughout Shasta County as part of the Northern California Ironman, and they’re expected to be supported by thousands of family members and friends.
The majority of racers are coming from outside of Shasta, representing almost every U.S. state and nearly a dozen countries. The event will be an exciting chance to showcase Redding on an international scale, local officials have said.
“We believe this marks the beginning of an incredible journey as Redding continues to grow as a premier outdoor sports destination,” said Redding Sports Commissioner Tim Bauer in a recent email statement. This year’s race will be the first of three annual Ironman events in Redding and the surrounding region.
The main race event on Aug. 16, which includes swimming, biking and running, will take place in various parts of the county. It starts at Whiskeytown Lake near Oak Bottom Beach and travels near the city of Shasta Lake and Palo Cedro and into Redding. The race begins around 6 a.m. and is expected to finish by approximately 2:30 p.m., followed by a 4 p.m. awards ceremony at the Civic Auditorium.
There will be road closures and delays throughout the county along the course route on Sunday, though most impacts are only expected to last less than five hours. The Ironman organization has provided a list of road closures, detours and other impacts for the day of the race.
Closures mean the roads are closed to vehicles temporarily, and impacts mean the roads are still open but shared with athletes, so delays are expected and caution is advised, the city of Redding said in a recent social media post.
“We recognize the road closures may pose some inconvenience for some community members, but the closures are temporary, while the economic and tourism benefits can last well beyond race weekend,” the city said.
“Hosting major events is one way communities attract visitors, support local businesses, build their reputations, and create long-term opportunities that benefit the community,” the city wrote later in the post.
The Ironman organization will also be hosting various events in tandem with the city and local businesses in the days leading up to the race. Starting at 8 p.m. on Aug. 14, the Redding Rancheria will be presenting a kickoff party at Whistle Stop Park, where local food vendors, retailers and musicians will welcome athletes and locals alike for a community celebration.
Other events during the race weekend include sunrise yoga on the Sundial Bridge and a race for kids at the Redding Riverfront, both on the morning of Aug. 15.
As of Wednesday, weather forecasts showed that Sunday will have a high of 93 degrees Fahrenheit, typical of Redding’s summer temperatures. The city said the Ironman organization has extensive protocols for races that are held in the heat that include medical personnel, aid stations, cooling areas, hydration and emergency planning.
Locals who aren’t participating in the race can also be involved, either as a volunteer or a cheerleader. Redding Tourism Marketing Group CEO Jennifer Johnston said in a recent email statement that she hopes local residents will help cheer on athletes on Sunday by lining the course and bringing signs.
“This is our first opportunity to welcome IRONMAN athletes to Redding, and we want to make the best first impression possible,” she said. “Many of these athletes and their families are experiencing our community for the first time, so let’s show them what Redding hospitality looks like and how much we appreciate them choosing to compete in our inaugural race.”
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Despite the reputation of Redding’s triple digit summer temperatures, this is such a great opportunity to highlight the beauty and natural resources of our area to people who are unfamiliar with it. Any economic boost from this is a positive aspect of hosting this as well. Hope that the weather cooperates, and that the athletes enjoy what Redding has to offer, and all have a safe triathalon.
Oh, stop being such a negative nancy…this event will probably bring millions of dollars in revenue to the Redding area. We have thousands of people spending their money on hotels, dining, etc., so just stop and be thankful that Redding is being put on the map as a venue for athletic events. If you don’t have anything positive to say, then just keep quiet.
Clear and informative. Thank you!
It will be a wonderful event and bring much needed business for many of us.
Think of all the tax money it will bring in for the area
So much nonsensical media noise for The Ironman Triathlon considering this event won’t bring any tangible benefit in the short, medium or long term to Shasta County nor will it solve its problems.