een the biggest growth across Ironman markets, with new events on the calendar. The move to relocate Ironman Canada from west to east resulted in a sold out race. The cancellation of Ironman 70. Mont-Tremblant may have heightened the desire to lock in a spot in its 70.3 distance.
With the addition of an event in Chicago this year, Illinois will also see growth this year.
Things would get busy on the highway with a combined 70.3 and full-distance race taking place.
2023 Ironman Mont-Tremblant. Photo: Kevin Mackinnon
A younger crowd comes calling
More women and younger athletes are participating, with the largest growth seen in the 18 to 35 year old age group. At an increase of 32 per cent in 2024 in the younger age group, that’s an all time high in North America. The increase in women participating in the long distance was 10 per cent.
The data suggests a slump in the ability or desire of athletes to travel post-Covid to events within North America has recovered. California, Texas, New York and Florida saw the biggest resurgence in travellers to its race destinations. From 2023 to 2024 that number jumped by 15 per cent.
The hottest races on the circuit
Last year, over 50,000 athletes completed either an Ironman or Ironman 70.3 across North America, marking a four per cent increase year-on-year. The most popular events this year are Ironman 70.3 Mont-Tremblant, Ironman 70.3 Oregon and the relocated full Ironman Canada-Ottawa. Other early sell-outs for 2025 are Ironman Texas, Ironman 70.3 St. George, Ironman 70.3 Chattanooga, Ironman 70.3 Rockford-Illinois and the every popular Ironman 70.3 Oceanside.
Leave a Reply