By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Ironman, one of the most recognizable names in long-distance triathlons, is set to make its debut in Illinois with a 70.3-mile race in Rockford next year.
The Ironman 70.3 is slated to debut on Sunday, June 22, 2025, with a swim, bike and run course through the city and the countryside north of Rockford. That will be the first of three years for the race, which would return in 2026 and 2027.
The event is expected to draw thousands of athletes and spectators and pump millions of dollars into the local economy.
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The Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, along with city officials and the Illinois Office of Tourism, held a news conference Monday morning in front of The Rock Guardians of Rockford sculpture along the Rock River recreation path to announce the new event. The Rock Guardians were dressed in specially made T-shirts from Tad More Tailoring for the announcement.
The sculptures are where future Ironman athletes will begin the triathlon with a 1.2-mile swim.
Ironman said Rockford’s blend of outdoor recreation, beauty and history made the city an ideal location for the race.
“Rockford has shown itself to be an appealing Midwestern destination city with an abundance of outdoor recreation,” said Eric Atnip, race director for the Ironman 70.3 Rockford-Illinois triathlon. “We can’t wait for athletes to come experience this welcoming community and see what makes Rockford so special.”
Registration will open for the event on July 1. Go HERE for info on registering.
“Ironman 70.3 athletes push themselves to continually improve, to be better each day, to not settle for less than their personal best. The city of Rockford is like that, too. Rockford is a city on the move and gaining speed all the time,” said John Groh, president and CEO of the visitors bureau. “We’re thrilled to partner with Ironman and look forward to welcoming their athletes and fans to our city.”
The triathlon begins with a 1.2-mile downriver swim on the Rock River starting at The Rock Guardians of Rockford, a sculpture by Terese Agnew of four roughly 3-ton rock soldiers.
“This is a river swim, so if you were to come here and get a best time on a 70.3 for your swim, I apologize in advance,” Atnip joked.
The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department will have patrol boats on water to provide safety for racers.
They will get out of the water at Davis Park and begin a 56-mile single-loop bike course that moves through Rockford and northern Winnebago County.
“We’re going to roll through what I will say is some of the most beautiful rolling hills and farmland, it’s very scenic,” Atnip said. “You have to make sure that when you’re riding your bike you pay attention to how fast you’re going, because you can get very distracted with the views out there.”
The course takes riders into downtown Rockton and north to Yale Bridge Road before it loops back to downtown Rockford.
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Once returning to Davis Park, athletes hit the ground for a 13.1-mile two-loop run around the east and west banks of the Rock River. The course goes along the Rock River on the east bank and through neighborhoods along Harlem Boulevard and other residential streets on the west side.
“It is a beautiful racecourse,” Atnip said. “It is one of the most spectator-friendly race courses I’ve seen. I hope athletes bring all their family and friends to watch them.”
Atnip said it’s a great race for people doing their first triathlon or those trying to get their personal record and qualify for the world championships. Some will finish the race in less than four hours, others won’t finish until the eight-and-a-half hour cutoff.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas