The longest-running 70.3 triathlon in North America returns to Muncie this week.
The 47th annual Ironman 70.3 Muncie will be held this Saturday, July 11. The Ironman triathlon consists of swim, bike and run portions over a total distance of 70.3 miles — hence the name. First held in 1980 under the name “Muncie Endurathon,” this will be the 16th Muncie triathlon under the Ironman 70.3 banner.
Last year’s race saw over 700 participants and hundreds more spectators from 44 US states and 12 different countries. As Muncie prepares for thousands to descend upon it for the annual Ironman, here’s five things you need to know:
What is the Ironman 70.3?
The Ironman 70.3 triathlon consists of swimming 1.2 miles, biking 56 miles and running 13.1 miles (a half-marathon) for a total of 70.3 miles. The Ironman 70.3 is also called a Half Ironman, as a full Ironman triathlon doubles each distance for 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking and a full 26.2-mile marathon of running.
There are about 40 full-distance and over 100 half-distance Ironman events held globally throughout the year. Muncie’s event is the longest-running 70.3 triathlon in North America.
Where is the Muncie Ironman?
The Muncie Ironman is held annually at the Prairie Creek Reservoir in Selma, about five miles southeast of Muncie located at 7801 S 560 E Rd, Selma, Ind. The swim portion of the race takes place in the reservoir, while the bike course takes athletes through rural Delaware and Henry counties along closed state highways. The run portion goes around the south side of the Prairie Creek Reservoir over some rolling hills before looping back around to the finish line at the Reservoir.
When is the Muncie Ironman?
The race is scheduled to begin at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 11. Parking will open at Prairie Creek at 4 a.m.
An information tent, lost and found tent, official Ironman store and medal engraving will open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There will also be an award ceremony at 3:30 p.m.
What should athletes do before and after the Muncie Ironman?
Registration for this year’s Ironman is closed. Ironman athletes will need to check in, pick up their timing chips and go through an athlete briefing session ahead of the race. Check-in, timing chips and athlete briefings will be available at the Horizon Convention Center at 401 S. High St. Muncie, Ind. on Thursday, July 9, and Friday, July 10.
On Thursday, July 9, check-in will be open from 2-7 p.m. with athlete briefing sessions at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. On Friday, July 10, check-in will be open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. with athlete briefing sessions at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. There is also a mandatory bike check-in at Prairie Creek Reservoir from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday.
After the race, athletes can make their way to the post-race nutrition area, which will be open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. There will also be a mandatory bike and gear check-out.
Which roads will be closed for the Muncie Ironman?
South 560 E Road and Gates Road on the east side of the Reservoir will be closed for the bike portion of the race, along with East Windsor Road to the north of the Reservoir. The course will also take up portions of Inlow Springs Road, Burlington Drive, Miami Trail and South Eaton Avenue before moving onto the Cardinal Greenway that takes the athletes down into Henry County. The bike portion will affect these roads from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
The run portion will also affect South 560 E Road and most of Burlington Drive. South County Road 461 East between Burlington and East County Road 650 South and a portion of East County Road 650 South just south of the Reservoir will also be part of the run course. The run portion will take place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Traffic will be managed by the Muncie Police Department, Delaware County Sheriff’s Department and other law enforcement agencies. Drivers are advised to keep these times in mind when navigating the area on Saturday and wait for a signal from traffic control before pulling into oncoming athlete traffic.
For more traffic information and maps for each of the courses, click here.
Contact Cade Hampton via email at cbhampton@usatodayco.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @CadeHamp10.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Five things to know before the 47th annual Muncie Ironman 70.3
Reporting by Cade Hampton, Muncie Star Press / Muncie Star Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cade Hampton, Muncie Star Press | USA TODAY Network
