Editor’s note: The City of Redding will host an Ironman competition (swimming, biking, and running) on August 16. The course will cover multiple areas, including Whiskeytown Lake, Highway 299, the Sacramento River Trail, and multiple streets throughout Redding and surrounding areas. There will also be a kid’s race on August 15. This will have a high impact on traffic throughout the Redding area. More details, including registration information and course maps, are at Ironman.
We’ve received many questions about the upcoming IRONMAN 70.3 Northern California race, especially regarding road closures. Today, we’re answering the questions we’ve seen most often from the community.
Question: Why did Redding agree to host an event that closes some roads?
Answer: IRONMAN brings thousands of athletes, family members, volunteers, and spectators to our community. Those visitors stay in hotels, eat in restaurants, shop locally, and experience Redding. It’s an opportunity to showcase our community on an international stage. We recognize the road closures may pose some inconvenience for some community members, but the closures are temporary, while the economic and tourism benefits can last well beyond race weekend.
Question: Are all of these roads really closed, or are some just slowed down?
Answer: That’s an important distinction. Looking at the map alone, it can be easy to think everything that’s highlighted is completely closed, but that’s not the case. Three categories are shown on the larger document (linked below) that may affect travel on Race Day: Closures, Detours, and Impacts.
For a full list of closures, detours, and impacts, visit https://www.ironman.com/…/im703-northern…/traffic-impact
Question: What if I have to get to work, church, or the airport Sunday morning?
Answer: If your travel plans overlap with the posted closure routes and times, take a few minutes to review the traffic impact map and route information before Sunday morning. Depending on where you’re headed, you may need to leave earlier, take an alternate route, or adjust your schedule if possible. We know this may be inconvenient for some, but planning ahead is the best way to avoid unexpected delays.
Question: What happens if there’s an emergency or wildfire during the race?
Answer: Public safety remains the top priority. Police, fire, EMS, and emergency management agencies are all involved in planning events like this. Emergency responders maintain the ability to respond if needed, and if a major emergency requiring immediate action occurs, race operations can be modified or stopped.
Question: Why couldn’t they hold the race somewhere else without affecting traffic?
Answer: An IRONMAN 70.3 race is a 70.3-mile event with a swim, bike, and run course that has to meet strict safety, distance, and logistical requirements. That means using public roads that can safely accommodate hundreds of athletes while allowing emergency access and support vehicles. Trails simply aren’t wide enough or designed for the bike portion of an event like this.
Question: Is Interstate 5 actually shutting down?
Answer: No. One point of confusion is the traffic impact list, which references “Northbound Interstate 5 to Oasis.” That’s referring to the northbound exit ramp to Oasis Road—not Interstate 5 itself. The freeway remains open.
Question: Why is the race in August? Isn’t it too hot?
Answer: This year’s August date wasn’t selected by the City of Redding. It was the only available weekend in IRONMAN’s calendar for the inaugural event. The good news is that future years are already planned for a cooler time of year.
Question: Will athletes be safe in the heat?
Answer: IRONMAN races are held all over the world, including warm-weather locations. The organization has extensive heat protocols that include aid stations, hydration, medical personnel, cooling areas, and emergency planning. Athlete safety is a top priority at every race.Question: Is it worth the inconvenience in navigating the City on Race Day?
Answer: We understand that some residents—especially those living along the course—will be affected by closures, detours, and impacts more than others. At the same time, hosting major events is one way communities attract visitors, support local businesses, build their reputations, and create long-term opportunities that benefit the community. The goal is to balance those benefits while minimizing the disruption as much as possible.
