Nearly 4,000 athletes coming to Sacramento for Ironman California. Here are the details
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Ironman California in Sacramento
Ironman California athletes will take their marks Sunday in downtown Sacramento for an 140.6-mile journey. Here’s how to take advantage of the triathlon coming to the state Capitol.
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The Ironman California race, part of the Vinfast U.S. series, is coming to Sacramento again, inviting thousands of athletes to the region for the multi-course competition.
Ironman California features a 2.4 mile downriver swim starting in the American River and ending near the Tower Bridge in the Sacramento River , a 112 mile flat bike course and a 26.2 mile run. The triathalon offers 55 slots to the 2023 Vinfast Ironman World Championship in October 2023 in Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i.
More than 3,900 athletes are competing in this year’s race. Registration for the contest is sold out.
Last year’s race, which anticipated roughly 3,500 participants, was canceled due to an October storm. When the 2021 event was announced, Mike Testa, president and CEO of Visit Sacramento’s Sports Commission, said Ironman projected $15 million in economic impact for the region.
This year, then, will be the city’s first Ironman triathlon. According to forecasts by the National Weather Service, athletes and supporters can expect highs near 74 on Sunday.
Here’s what to know as the race approaches:
When and where
The race is on Sunday, Oct. 23. The courses will run through Sacramento, from its rivers and agricultural regions to Discovery Park.
You can see where the athletes are competing for each course online.
Athletes will arrive in Sacramento this week. Check in is on Thursday and Friday. Saturday will host the IronKids fun run.
Monday will be the “celebration day” and award ceremony at the capitol.
Streets impacted
Several streets will be impacted on the day of the race, with some closed for multiple days.
Streets that will be affected by the race for the week include:
10th Street, from L Street to N Street: Oct. 17 at 8 a.m. to Oct. 25 at 1 p.m.
Ninth Street, from N Street to L Street: Oct. 17 at 8 a.m. to Oct. 25 at 8 a.m.
Capitol Mall, from Ninth Street to 10th Street: Oct. 17 at 8 a.m. to Oct. 25 at 8 a.m.
Capitol Mall, from Eighth Street to Ninth Street: Oct. 22 at 8 a.m. to Oct. 24 at 1 p.m.
Some streets that will close only on race day include:
Jibboom Street, from I Street Bridge and Robert T Matsui Waterfront Park to Railyards Boulevard: 9 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Marina View Drive, from Broadway to Ramp Way: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
13th Street, from F Street to J Street: 9 a.m. to 12 a.m.
N Street, from Third Street to 15th Street: 9 a.m. to 2 a.m.
You can see the full list of street closures in Sacramento, as well as West Sacramento and Yolo County online.
Freeway impacts
Two freeway ramps will also close Sunday for the race.
From 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., the I-50 off ramp westbound on Fifth Street and the I-50 on ramp eastbound on River Road near 15th Street will be closed.
Volunteer opportunities
Ironman California offers a variety of volunteer opportunities.
If you know or love to kayak, you can kayak the swim course to help any athletes that need it, or if you have basic bike mechanic experience, you can help athletes in case of an accident. Volunteers are also needed to run aid stations and penalty tents.
You can see the full list of volunteers needed and the description of the position online.
This story was originally published October 18, 2022 at 6:00 AM.