Jacksonville is hosting its first-ever Ironman race Saturday, May 16, joining two other Florida cities with races slated for 2026, and bringing thousands of athletes and spectators to the Sunshine State.
The first Ironman Triathlon single-day endurance event, created by Judy and John Collins, was held in Hawaii in 1978, where 15 competitors took up the arduous test.
Now, Ironman and its half-distance companion race, the Ironman 70.3, are the world’s premier triathlon series spanning across over 50 countries, regions and territories across the world, according to Ironman.
Here’s what to know about the races in Florida.
What’s an Ironman?
An Ironman is a long-distance triathlon organized by the World Triathlon Corporation that includes a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile marathon run completed consecutively in a single day.
Widely regarded as one of the toughest endurance events in the world, athletes have up to 17 hours to finish all three segments of the race.
Where is the Ironman in Florida?
There are three Ironman Florida races slated for 2026, according to the official race locator:
Ironman full distance vs. 70.3
A full Ironman is a total of 140.6 miles — athletes swim 2.4 miles, bike for 112, and then run for 26.2 miles.
In a half distance Ironman, also known as an Ironman 70.3, athletes swim for 1.2 miles, bike for 56, and run 13.1 miles.
How long does Ironman, Ironman 70.3 take?
Triathletes have up to 17 hours to complete an Ironman triathlon.
For the Ironman 70.3, competitors have up to 8 hours and 30 mins.
See Ironman Jacksonville course map
Ironman Jacksonville will bring a full-on athlete takeover to the North Florida city, with competitors racing across the city for up to 17 hours.
The course begins with a 2.4-mile swim in the St. Johns River at 7:30 a.m. from Metropolitan Park, followed by a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run through downtown Jacksonville and Riverside.
Ironman near me: How to find nearest race
To find the nearest Ironman race near you, visit ironman.com/races and search your city or use the map locator.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Ironman Jacksonville joins two Florida cities in grueling debut race
Reporting by Ashley Ferrer and Doris Alvarez Cea, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
