John Groh, president and CEO of the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, announces on Monday, June 24, 2024, the first Ironman 70.3 race in the state of Illinois will be held in Rockford. It will take place June 22, 2025, followed by races in 2026 and 2027. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — The city’s first ever Ironman event has sold out five months before race day.

Ironman and GoRockford announced Friday that the Ironman 70.3 triathlon, which is making its debut in Illinois, has sold out of general entry and relay tickets with more than 2,500 entries.

There are two other options to participate: through an Ironman Foundation ticket, which includes a donation toward charitable efforts, or an Ironman Nirvana experience, which has enhanced race day services and accommodations.

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This is the first event of the 2025 Ironman series in the Midwest to sell out. John Groh, president and CEO of GoRockford, said Rockford’s geographic location, the benefits for racers to have fast times with a downriver swim and the appeal of a new course all worked in the city’s favor.

“I think this demonstrates exactly what we pitched and talked with Ironman about: our geographic location being a strength for our community and for the event,” Groh said. “They’re pulling from all the Midwestern states. … The 16 million-plus people who live within a couple hour drive of Rockford is a huge advantage for us when hosting events like this, and that’s on display with a sellout event.”

The triathlon is slated for Sunday, June 22 with a swim, bike and run course through the city and the countryside north of Rockford.

This summer is the first of three years for the race.

“Rockford is a great location for our races,” said Joel Feinberg, Midwest regional marketing manager for Ironman. “It sits in a great area where we can really get some great courses and really provide a nice environment for people.”

GoRockford said there will be up to 15,000 visitors for the event, generating about $8 million in economic activity in the community.

“It’s a huge moment for the community, for the event and for its future,” Groh said. “We know that Ironman is looking at how well the event does in its first year as they think about year two, year three and beyond.”

This is the first time an Ironman-branded race has been in Illinois.

“The nice thing with this race is it’s going to bring out a large contingent of first-timers because it’s such a great venue,” Feinberg said. “That’s great to see because we want to make sure that we bring new races into the series that people feel good and comfortable and want to be part of it. … Rockford has really put forth a great course for everybody.”

It also works as a good training race for the longer, 140.6-mile full course Ironman race in Wisconsin in September, Feinberg said.

“Ironman Rockford sits in a nice time of year where people can use it as a training race,” he said.

The triathlon begins with a 1.2-mile swim down the Rock River starting at The Rock Guardians of Rockford, a sculpture by Terese Agnew of four roughly 3-ton rock soldiers. Athletes exit the water at Davis Park and start a 56-mile single-loop bike course that moves through Rockford and northern Winnebago County.

The final leg is a 13.1-mile, two-loop run around the east and west banks of the Rock River from Davis Park.

“What’s next is incumbent upon our entire community and all the partners — from hotels and restaurants and retailers to our partners at police, fire and public works — putting on an event that seamlessly executes upon what we’ve offered, which is a fantastic race day experience for athletes and for fans,” Groh said.

Information and registration

If you want to register for the Ironman Foundation or Nirvana experience, you can visit Ironman’s Rockford page HERE.


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

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