The Chattanooga Department of Public Works welcomes IRONMAN 70.3 this weekend on Sunday, May 17, 2026! We recommend that spectators and visitors park in the lots and garages surrounding downtown and utilize the Free Electric Shuttle (beginning 9:30 AM Sunday) and Bike Chattanooga bike share system (24/7).
Public activities start Friday afternoon with the IRONMAN Village and Official IRONMAN Store opening at 2 PM on Riverfront Parkway/Chattanooga Green/Ross’ Landing. Both will be open Saturday from 9 AM until 4 PM and Sunday (race day) from 8 AM until 4 PM.
The Tennessee River will be closed to pleasure crafts between Ross' Landing and the Hubert Fry Center from 5:00 AM until 10:30 AM on Sunday, May 17th. This includes the Rivermont Park and Tennessee Riverpark boat ramps.
IRONMAN 70.3 starts early Sunday morning, May 17th, with shuttle buses transporting athletes from Ross' Landing to the swim starting location at 4:30 AM. The swim portion begins at 6:50 AM and athletes will be transitioning to the bike race from about 7:15 am until 9:00 am. Traffic will be stopped from crossing the cyclists' lane when they are present between 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM on Riverfront Parkway, West 20th Street, Broad Street, Market Street, and Alton Park Boulevard. Runners will be on the Riverwalk, Amnicola Highway, the Veterans Bridge, Barton Ave and Riverfront Parkway between 10:30 AM and 1 PM.
Spectators are encouraged to make the most of this unprecedented opportunity for Chattanooga. Links to the IRONMAN 70.3 Spectator Guide, Travel Tips, and maps of the routes can be found on the 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga website.
Closure details:
Riverside Drive/Riverfront Parkway between Aquarium Way and Molly Lane, Chestnut Street between Aquarium Way and Riverfront Parkway, Power Alley from the parking lot to Riverfront Parkway, and the southbound Veterans Bridge ramp to Riverside Drive will close Wednesday, May 13th for the IRONMAN 70.3 setup and will reopen Sunday, May 17th at 9 PM.
THE FOLLOWING WILL BE CLOSED OR HAVE LIMITED ACCESS FOR THE BIKE PORTION:
- The right southbound lane of Riverfront Parkway between Molly Lane and W MLK Blvd
- Riverfront Parkway southbound will be fully closed between W MLK Blvd and Broad Street. All traffic will be directed northbound only
- The right southbound lane of Market Street between West 20th Street and West 40th Street
- West 40th Street between Alton Park Blvd and Tennessee Avenue
- I-24 on-ramp and Southbound off-ramp at Market Street will be closed and all streets crossing this route will be controlled by CPD officers
- The intersections of St Elmo Ave and W 42nd Street / Tennessee Ave and Virginia Avenue at West 46th Street** will be 4-way Stops from 5:00 am until 1:00 pm on Sunday, May 17th for the IRONMAN 70.3 bike portion. Cyclists will also be on Tennessee Avenue and St Elmo Avenue to the state line, riding with traffic.
THE FOLLOWING WILL BE CLOSED OR HAVE LIMITED ACCESS FOR THE RUN PORTION:
- Dedicated bike lane on Frazier Avenue between Forest Avenue and the Veterans Bridge
- The right northbound lane of Barton Avenue between Frazier Avenue and Baker Street
- The right northbound lane of the Veterans Bridge between East 3rd Street and Barton Avenue
- The right westbound lane of Amnicola Highway between Old Curtain Pole Road and Lindsay Street
- Battery Place off-ramp from Riverfront Parkway
- Aquarium Way between Riverfront Parkway and Walnut Street
All streets crossing this route will be controlled by CPD officers to give right-of-way to the runners from 5:00 am on Sunday, May 17th until 7:00 pm for the IRONMAN 70.3 run portion.
There will be several locations where temporary parking restrictions will be in place on Sunday, May 17th. This includes Riverfront Parkway and multiple locations within St Elmo. 'Special Event No Parking' signage will be posted where these restrictions are in place.