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Chattanooga Triathlons: IRONMAN Full, 70.3 Qualifiers & Waterfront Olympic/Sprint Races

Chattanooga beckons visitors for relaxation and outdoor thrills, but triathletes truly test their mettle here with swimming, biking, and running in world-renowned events. IRONMAN Chattanooga and local triathlons draw elite athletes and novices alike to breathtaking courses amid fierce global competition—one of the sport's top destinations. Thousands of spectators cheer on participants from pros chasing world championship slots to first-timers crossing the finish line.

Chattanooga Triathlons: IRONMAN Full, 70.3 Qualifiers & Waterfront Olympic/Sprint RacesThis triathlon hub hosted the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships in 2017. Discover key races to experience the excitement firsthand.

IRONMAN Chattanooga
The premier full-distance IRONMAN attracts over 2,500 athletes vying for Kona slots with a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile marathon through the city. Starting at 7 a.m., it culminates by midnight cutoffs—an epic all-day spectacle.

The point-to-point Tennessee River swim, viewable along the Riverwalk, benefits from aiding currents for fast splits.

Chattanooga Triathlons: IRONMAN Full, 70.3 Qualifiers & Waterfront Olympic/Sprint RacesBikers conquer two scenic loops in rural Tennessee and North Georgia, tackling climbs rewarded by stunning views. The marathon weaves through downtown's Southside, Riverview, and North Shore on a spectator-friendly 2.5-loop course. Finish-line drama is unmissable. Click here for top viewing spots. Held annually in late September.

IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga
This half-distance challenge—a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run—mirrors the full IRONMAN's iconic routes. A U.S. favorite since 2014, it features a Tennessee River swim, Lookout Mountain vistas, a rolling 34-mile Georgia bike loop, and a two-loop downtown/Riverfront Park run. Typically in May, it qualifies entrants for the 70.3 World Championships, hosted here in 2017 with 4,000 global elites.

Chattanooga Triathlons: IRONMAN Full, 70.3 Qualifiers & Waterfront Olympic/Sprint RacesThe next edition draws qualifiers from over 100 worldwide 70.3 races.

Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon
Chattanooga Triathlons: IRONMAN Full, 70.3 Qualifiers & Waterfront Olympic/Sprint RacesPerfect for time-crunched athletes, this June staple offers International (1.5K swim, 42K bike, 10K run) and Sprint (0.25-mile swim, 10+ mile bike, 3-mile run) distances. Current-boosted Tennessee River swim, hilly bike with thrilling descents, and paved greenway run. It served as the 2016 USA Triathlon Southeast Regional Championship.

Photo credit: Runners on the Chattanooga Riverfront - heffieldb

Travel Notes
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    Every night, groups of 2 to 20 explore Chattanoogas most haunted locations with Chattanooga Ghost Tours. Over the years, visitors have captured countless photos of spectral figures, sparking questions like, How is that possible? According to the expert guides at Chattanooga Ghost Tours, ghosts often appear on film as unexplained orbs of light, mysterious mists invisible to the naked eye (known as ectoplasm), swirling smoke, or even distinct faces and full-body apparitions. While many photos can

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    The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera (CSO) is dedicated to inspiring, engaging, and enriching the Chattanooga community through exceptional music and education programs. Since 1933, the CSO has delivered professional performances of symphonies, operas, chamber music, and pops concerts to diverse audiences across Chattanooga and surrounding areas. Housed in the historic and stunning Tivoli Theatre, every CSO performance offers an unforgettable experience. History The Chattanooga Symphony began w

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    Seeing a massive catfish at the Tennessee Aquarium is impressive, but reeling one in on 10-pound test line is an exhilarating challenge, shares Coast Guard captain and renowned fishing guide Richard Simms. As owner of Scenic City Fishing Charters, Simms has guided hundreds of anglers—men and women alike—to hook crappie, largemouth bass, and more. His true specialty? The legendary blue catfish lurking in the Tennessee Rivers depths.Most charters operate within Chattanooga city limits, just 15 mil