Yahoo Sports 3,500 athletes are coming to Sacramento for Ironman California. Here’s what to know
The 2021 Ironman California is scheduled to make its debut in Sacramento on Sunday with a competition of endurance and a shot at a $50,000 prize purse.
More than 3,500 athletes will make their way to Sacramento this week — and you should definitely expect some traffic delays.
The triathlon — which will broadcast live on Facebook — will only offer 45 registered athletes a shot at the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, in October 2022.
Ironman California will lead athletes along a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run through Sacramento’s downtown area and end around the California State Capitol building and gardens. The course will highlight the Tower Bridge, Central Valley’s farm and wine country and Discovery Park.
When the event was announced last year, Mike Testa, president and CEO of Visit Sacramento’s Sports Commission, said Ironman projected $15 million in economic impact for the region.
The event will feature several familiar faces to Ironman, including Jan Frodeno, Gustav Iden and Lionel Sanders.
The 2021 Ironman California will broadcast live exclusively on Facebook starting at 6:30 a.m.
Whether you’re participating or a Sacramentan staying home this weekend, there are a few things you should know:
Expected traffic impacts
Street closures will affect downtown Sacramento and other areas along the race course.
A full list of closures and detours can be found here.
COVID-19 guidelines
Ironman staff and volunteers will be provided with face coverings and gloves to be used while working in all athlete-facing areas. Athletes will also be provided with face coverings and are expected to wear them around event venues.
Athletes, staff and volunteers will be required to fill out a pre-race health questionnaire. Temperature checks will be taken and any individual with a temperature greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit will not be allowed to volunteer or race.
For more information on COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions, visit Operational and Safety Guidelines for Ironman and Ironman 70.3 Events.
Ironman California schedule
Here are the events running Thursday through Monday, including race start times:
Thursday, Oct. 21
Event: Ironman Village Open
Location: Capitol Mall and Ninth Street
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Event: Athlete Briefing
Location: Capitol Mall and Ninth Street
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 22
Event: Ironman Village Open
Location: Capitol Mall and Ninth Street
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Event: Pro Athlete Panel
Location: Capitol Mall and Ninth Street
Time: 12 p.m.
Event: Welcome Ceremony
Location: Sacramento River Cats Baseball Stadium
Time: 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 23
Event: Ironkids Fun Run
Location: Capitol Mall and Ninth Street
Time: 9 a.m.
Event: Ironman Village Open
Location: Capitol Mall and Ninth Street
Time : 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Event: Mandatory Bike and Gear Bag Check-in
Location: Sacramento River Cats Baseball Stadium
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Event: Athlete Briefing
Location: Capitol Mall and Ninth Street
Time: 11 a.m.
Sunday, Oct. 24
Event: Race Day
Location: Click here for a map of the course.
Times: 4:45 a.m. to 6: 45 a.m. - transition area open - Sacramento River Cats Baseball Stadium
6:48 a.m. - professional men start
6:50 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. - rolling age group race starts
Approximately 2:15 p.m. - first participant expected at the finish line
Approximately 12:30 a.m. - race ends (17 hours after the last athlete enters the water)
Monday, Oct. 25
Event: Ironman Village Open
Location: Capitol Mall and Ninth Street
Time: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Event: Awards Ceremony and 22 Ironman World Championship Slot Allocation and Rolldown Ceremony
Location: Ironman Village, Capitol Mall and Ninth Street
Time: 9 a.m.
Access the entire event schedule here.
Other Ironman events
Ironman food drive
In conjunction with the Ironman California triathlon, the Ironman Foundation will distribute more than $25,000 in grants throughout Northern California communities starting next week. The foundation will also host a food drive in Ironman Village at Capitol Mall and Ninth Street from Thursday to Saturday.
All items collected from the food drive will go to the Central Downtown Food Basket, which feeds insecure households once a month at mobile sites in Sacramento.
If you go
Event: Ironman food drive
Address: Ironman Village, Capitol Mall and Ninth Street
Date: Thursday, Oct. 21, to Saturday, Oct. 23
Ironman book signing
In addition, the Ironman Foundation will host two book signings with author Mike Reilly, known as the “voice of Ironman”. Donations to the Ironman Foundation’s Humanitarian Relief Fund will be accepted to assist with Northern California Wildfire rebuilding efforts.
Attendees must purchase a book on-site or bring their own to be signed.
If you go
Event: Ironman book signing
Address: Ironman Village
Hours of operation: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday; noon to 1 p.m. Saturday
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