The COVID-19 pandemic has canceled the Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon and the Sunbelt Bakery IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga triathlon, resulting in an economic loss of $22.7 million to the city, the Chattanooga Tourism company reports.
The Sunbelt Bakery IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga triathlon, scheduled for Aug. 23, is scheduled to return May 23, 2021. The Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon, scheduled for Sept. 27, is scheduled to return Sept. 26, 2021.
The IRONMAN has an estimated economic impact of $17 million, while the IRONMAN 70.3 has an estimated economic impact of $5.7 million, Chattanooga Tourism reports.
“Not having any IRONMAN events in 2020 underscores the value these triathlons bring to our community,” says Barry White, president and CEO of the Chattanooga Tourism Co., which partners with government and community organizations to host IRONMAN.
“We’re disappointed our community will not reap the economic and social benefits of hosting the events this year; however, we have a strong relationship with IRONMAN and are looking forward to providing race experiences in the future.”
IRONMAN athletes ranked Chattanooga eighth for Overall Host City Experience in 2019 out of more than 150 races. Chattanooga is scheduled to host 70.3 and full-distance IRONMANs in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Source: Chattanooga Tourism Co.