Redding will join the ranks of dozens of cities worldwide that host Ironman triathlons, starting in 2026.
Redding City Council members voted 5-0 to approve an event application submitted by sporting event planning organization, World Triathlon Corp. of Florida. The application requests Redding host the Ironman 70.3 Northern California for three consecutive years.
Tourism promotion organization Choose Redding Lodging offered to pay the city a total of $630,500 between 2026 and 2028 to help cover costs for city services needed during the three triathlons. That money is broken into $200,000 to $220,500 installments per event, according to a letter sent to Interim City Manager Steve Bade.
Penned by Choose Redding Lodging Chairman Ed Rullman, the letter also said the sporting events would likely “generate significant economic and community benefits” for Redding.
Costs and other impacts to the city are unknown at this time, Bade told the council Tuesday night. However, based on costs for massive events like Kool April Nites, he loosely predicted the city would supply approximately $250,000 to $500,000 worth of police and other staff time, waived rent for city storage and venues, and other services.
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“…The host city is tasked to provide a number of support services,” Bade said in a preliminary report to the council. These include law enforcement and other security services, lighting if needed, parking, trash services and street cleaning, meeting and storage spaces, and other costs and responsibilities.
“It may be a heavy lift on our side personnel wise,” but would be worth it to showcase the city, Councilperson Erin Resner said at the meeting.
Income from sales tax, tourism and other services would negate the city’s cost, council members speculated. Predictions are that “every single (Redding) hotel room would be full,” Bade said.
The contract also says the host must provide hotel rooms — but with Choose Redding Lodging as a partner, local hotels may take care of that responsibility. “That’s our understanding,” but “it hasn’t been written into the contract,” said city spokesperson Camile Woodstrom.
The contract also requires the host (city) agree it “…acknowledges that an Event medical team of no less than 30 licensed medical professionals will be required for the Event.”
World Triathlon Corp. chooses Redding after Shasta County visit
Before World Triathlon Corp. approached the city with the project, Choose Redding Lodging took its representatives on a tour of the area to assess the viability of hosting an event in which crowds would gather while triathletes run, cycle and swim through Redding.On Sept. 18, Choose Redding Lodging told the city that World Triathlon Corp. approved the idea, according to Bade’s report.
Choose Redding Lodging spokesperson Laurie Baker said she couldn’t discuss details of the agreement with the corporation because “we promised them nothing would go public unless they did it first.” However, more information is coming soon, she said.
Race dates will be Aug. 16, 2026; Aug. 15, 2027; and Aug. 13, 2028, according to the event request.
City officials aren’t sure which route the race would take, Woodstrom said, but it will likely cut through other parts of Shasta County and possibly through parts of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and/or Whiskeytown NRA.
The Downtown Redding Public Market would likely be the finish line, Bade said at the meeting.
The 70.3 in the triathlon’s name refers to the distance it covers in miles. The swimming portion of the race is about 1.2 miles, the cycle 56 miles, and the run 13.1 miles, Woodstrom said.
(This story has been updated with new information.)
Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica on Record Searchlight Facebook groups Get Out! Nor Cal , Today in Shasta County and Shaping Redding’s Future. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Redding will host Ironman with Florida-based triathlon promoter. Possible costs and gains
Reporting by Jessica Skropanic, Redding Record Searchlight / Redding Record Searchlight
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