The IRONMAN triathlon will require participants to bike, swim, and running courses throughout Jacksonville.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Don’t forget to double-knot your running shoes and pack some extra knee pads, the IRONMAN triathlon is coming to Jacksonville!

IRONMAN, a global proprietor to mass participation sports, announced Thursday that the full-distance IRONMAN triathlon will be debuting in Florida’s First Coast on May 16, 2025.

“Jacksonville’s southern charm, welcoming community, and beautiful weather offer the perfect location to bring a new IRONMAN event early in the year,” said Todd Fitzgerald, regional director for IRONMAN. “As one of the largest cities by land area in the contiguous United States, Jacksonville offers the ideal space to host an event this size.”

President and CEO of Visit Jacksonville Michael Corrigan says that securing an IRONMAN race is “a significant milestone for our city” and that “hosting these elite athletes is a true testament to Jacksonville’s premier facilities and renowned hospitality.”

“I look forward to welcoming the IRONMAN community to Jacksonville and to sharing our city’s warmth, energy, and hospitality on the international stage,” said Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan. “Hosting an event of IRONMAN’s caliber will provide transformative benefits to our community—generating significant economic impact, increasing Jacksonville’s global visibility, and inspiring residents of all ages to embrace active and healthy lifestyles.”

Registration for the event opens on Monday, Sept. 22. Qualifying participants may be offered a chance to compete at the 2026 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.


THE COURSE

IRONMAN describes the course as follows:

The 2026 IRONMAN Jacksonville triathlon will kick off with a fast 2.4-mile swim in St. Johns River, the longest river in the State of Florida, which flows through the city’s downtown area. Once out of the water, athletes will transition to the flat and fast 112-mile two-loop bike course that takes athletes throughout downtown Jacksonville, out historic Kings Rd., over the Trout River, and passes into neighboring Nassau County before returning south for the second loop. Athletes will return to town to transition on Gator Bowl Boulevard downtown, before kicking off the 13.1-mile three-loop run course that traverses downtown and Riverside Avenue, passing through some of Jacksonville’s most historic neighborhoods. The run course continues down Jacksonville’s Riverwalk and crosses over the iconic blue Main Street bridge before culminating in an unforgettable finish.