Ironman takes a new route through Sonoma County starting at Lake Sonoma

May 12, 2019

Athletes from around across the globe compete in Ironman Triathlons at 40 events around the world. When you look at the schedule this organization has you can see that our home is one of many where super-athletes compete with each other in totally different climates and terrains.

This year, Ironman started with the 2.4 mile swim at Lake Sonoma, bicycled 112 miles through North and West Sonoma County, then ran 26.2 miles to the finish line in Santa Rosa's new Courthouse Square.

Hosting this event twice a year has been a boon to the local economy that thrives on tourist dollars. People love to come here to experience athletes compete where they can see them up close in their own communities. It also attracts thousands of athletes who come to compete in our exceptional climate and terrain. It's basically a win-win for everyone, partly because Sonoma County is large and diverse enough that if you want to avoid the race, you can...or if you want to experience the race, it takes place on a very long route stretching from Geyserville to Santa Rosa, so there are plenty of opportunities to catch a segment.

But for those along the race route, it's a moving race so all they have to do is wait until that part of the race passes by. But the big party is at the finish line which this year was in Santa Rosa. The new Courthouse Square is large enough to handle the crowds. Downtown was packed with spectators.

If you missed this year's event - it's coming back again in May and September of 2020. And here are LINKS to coverage of today's race. More will be available over the next few days.

Full results for the IRONMAN Santa Rosa triathlon will be available at www.ironman.com/triathlon/events/americas/ironman/santa-rosa/results.aspx

Registration for the 2020 IRONMAN Santa Rosa triathlon will open on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at www.ironman.com/santarosa;

Registration for IRONMAN 70.3 Santa Rosa triathlon will be announced at a later date with additional information at www.ironman.com/santarosa70.3. Visit www.ironman.com/santarosa for event information.