The City of Redding hosted the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Northern California triathlon on Sunday, Aug. 16, bringing thousands of athletes and fans to the North State in one of the fiercest races around.
Around 1,700 competitors, and nearly 70 professional triathletes from around the world, completed a 1.2-mile swim in Whiskeytown Lake, a 56-mile bike ride through Shasta County and a 13.1-mile run along the Sacramento River Trail.
It was the first time the city hosted a race of that magnitude, and the first time many of the participants experienced Redding.
But for others, it was the chance to compete in their own backyard.
Among the 1,700 competitors was a large group of Redding locals completing the 70.3-mile journey through familiar territory with friends and family supporting them along the way.
Brian Torum, a Redding local and competitor in the men’s 40-44 age group, said he was thrilled to see the city host such a large and globally recognized event like the IRONMAN.
“It’s my third IRONMAN and it’s probably my favorite so far,” Torum said. “Part of it is because I know where I’m at, I know the roads; but to see this at the convention center, for the people of Redding to know how big this is worldwide and for it to come to our town; we’re very lucky.”
That thought stuck with Torum as he made his way across Redding’s iconic Sundial Bridge during the final leg of the race and through the finish line at the Civic, where he was met by cheers from his family.
Eight months ago, Torum signed up for the IRONMAN 70.3 Northern California and spent his time since then training. He even bought a new bike to force himself.
When Torum crossed the finish line at 12:34 p.m., 5:42:41 after he began the race, he officially completed his third-ever IRONMAN. However, the last time Torum completed an IRONMAN race was 15 years ago.
“For it to be here in my hometown, it was motivating for me to start up again,” Torum said. “To get my kids to be able to see their dad do this in their hometown is pretty cool.”
Brittany Thomas, a Redding local who placed sixth in the women’s 35-39 age group, also had the opportunity to finish the race with her two young children present. Once she finished the race and exited the finish line area, Thomas was ambushed with hugs.
“That means everything,” Thomas said about her children supporting her. “I’ve had two kids, and I was being a little selfish and wanted to do something for myself now. It felt good.”
Thomas said she enjoyed the swim at Whiskeytown Lake and the bike ride through Shasta County. Running across the Sundial Bridge and through the Sacramento River Trail was nothing new for the Redding resident.
“I’ve ran here so many times that it was a little boring, but that’s just me,” Thomas said. “I really enjoyed the bike ride and the swim; the aid stations were great, and it really made a difference.”
Eric Wilkens, a physical therapist for Active Physical Therapy, also competed in the race on Sunday. Wilkens has competed in IRONMAN 70.3s around the country, including in Tennessee, Virginia, Ohio and other states primarily located on the East Coast.
“It was really cool to be in a hometown race,” Wilkens said. “We had a really big cheer squad. I work at Active PT and so seeing everybody out there who I’ve helped get here has been really special.”
Wilkens spent nearly every weekend leading up to the race training, and he had the advantage of running the same course he would run on race day.
“I got to ride the course pretty much every weekend that I was here,” Wilkens said. “I live right above the course, and so being able to just run down the river trails was pretty nifty.”
And, just like Torum and Thomas, Wilkens had an emotional finish as he was met by loved ones at the course’s end.
“I was really excited to see my mom at the finish line, my girlfriend, my cousin and then my little baby cousin as well,” Wilkens said. “(It was a) massive relief. Tears to my eyes, and I’m glad I don’t have to cramp anymore.”
Redding Mayor Mike Littau was also among the participants in the race. Littau completed the last leg of the race, a 13.1-mile run, as part of Team Visit Redding’s relay squad.
“It’s an honor to be able to run in this and have IRONMAN in our town,” Littau said. “Just the fact that I could be out there to cheer them along, high-five them, encourage them; I just want to be a representation of the city and show the enthusiasm.”
Wilkens, Thomas and Torum were just some residents who participated in the run, but Redding locals also contributed as volunteers.
“The amount of aid stations made the race wonderful and survivable,” Littau said. “This was very well organized; we had at times 20, 30, 50, sometimes 100 people at each aid station and that just meant a lot, not only to me, but to all the athletes out here.”
Darren Goodman, a local star athlete and senior at Redding Christian High School, helped set up the starting line at Whiskeytown Lake. He made his way to the Civic later in the morning to catch the finish.
“There were a lot of people (at Whiskeytown Lake) helping out and cheering everybody on, and even more here (at the Civic); it’s just such a good vibe” Goodman said. “Bringing something like this to Redding is such a cool thing. I’ve lived here my whole life so seeing it come here and getting to be a part of it has been a cool experience.”
While Goodman wasn’t participating in the race, he does compete for Redding Christian’s track and field team, and watching it inspired him one day throw his name in the mix.
“I’ve never really put much thought into it, but seeing it now, I feel like it’s definitely something to challenge myself with and looks like it’ll be a lot of fun,” Goodman said.
Fortunately, Goodman and other Redding locals will have the chance to sign up for the event next year. IRONMAN committed to a three-year contract to host the triathlon in Redding through 2028.
“I’ll be here next year for sure,” Torum said. “Next year, I’ll get my wife and two friends over here to do it too.”
Wilkens also plans to be back next year.
“(I’m) super stoked that there’s a three-year contract here,” Wilkens said. “I’ll definitely be doing it next year. It’s such a fun race. They’re spectators along the entire way, so it was like you were never alone out there.”
Brett Abrams is a sports reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. He covers high school and local sports in the Redding area. Reach out to Brett with any sports tips or news on X (formerly Twitter) @brabrams_ or by email at Brett.Abrams@Redding.com. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: From Whiskeytown to Sundial Bridge, IRONMAN 70.3 puts Redding on display | Exclusive
Reporting by Brett Abrams, Redding Record Searchlight / Redding Record Searchlight
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By Brett Abrams, Redding Record Searchlight | USA TODAY Network
