Ironman Tennessee Chattanooga

IRONMAN Chattanooga will begin with a point to point, 2.4-mile swim in the Tennessee River with ample spectator vantage points alongside the city's famous Riverwalk. Athletes can look forward to a fast, down-current swim. 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. Overall, 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 praised by hang-gliding and rock-climbing enthusiasts 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 mecca.