Grace Alexander, the first woman across the finish line in the pro women category. Photo by Jon Lewis.
Nearly 1,700 athletes and thousands more spectators and volunteers converged upon Redding, California, over the weekend to participate in the city’s first-ever Ironman 70.3 triathlon event.
Technically, although the event is billed as a triathlon, the running portion is equivalent to a half marathon. Earlier projections estimated approximately 2,500 participants.
More than 1,000 local volunteers were on hand to help with every facet of the event. Mother Nature even showed mercy by turning down the previous week’s triple-digit temperatures to a relatively tolerable mid-90s.
All participating athletes in the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Northern California were provided with guides available on a tracker app, augmented by a live briefing that was videotaped and accessible throughout the event. Corporate partners included Visit Redding and Dignity Health.
Every athlete was provided with a timing chip to wear on race day that would sync with the tracker app. The shuttle buses started transporting athletes at 3 a.m. to the Oak Bottom Marina. Shuttle bus transportation was mandatory. Athletes were not allowed to drive there, or be dropped off. Family and friends were allowed to accompany the athletes on the shuttle buses, and were transported back to Redding. The last shuttle bus was available at 5:45 a.m. Any athletes who didn’t make it on the shuttle buses between 3 to 5:45 a.m. were not allowed to participate in the race.
Athletes were assured that if they encountered a problem while swimming, they could raise their hand in the water where a host of volunteers in kayaks, paddle boards and jet skis would rush over to assist any swimmers in trouble. There were even “wet-suit peelers” on hand to help remove wet suits from some athletes who’d opted to wear them. However, because the water was so warm, it was recommended that athletes not wear wet suits.
Every athlete had a run number, which was required to be displayed on the athletes’ bodies. The athletes were instructed to drop off their bikes Saturday at the Oak Bottom Marina between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. where numbered bike racks were waiting for athletes’ corresponding numbered bikes.
Photo by Ironman USA Pacific.
Athletes first swam 1.25 miles swim in Whiskeytown Lake, then biked 56 miles, then finally, they finished the race by running 13.1 miles.
On the bike portion of the race, aid stations were posted every 10 miles. Some aid stations just provided water. Others provided everything from water and ice, to protein bars to bananas. Vounteer bike mechanics were also stationed along the bike routes. Race officials were on site to ensure everything went smoothly and athletes followed the rules that were outlined in the guide. If an official handed an athlete a yellow or blue card, that notified the athlete that they’d violated a rule, and would be directed to a penalty tent for anywhere from two minutes for a blue-card penalty, and 30 seconds for a yellow-card penalty. The penalty tents were located at the end of the route where athletes’ times would be docked by their respective penalty times.
There were aid stations for runners, manned by volunteers who handed out water and sprayed the runners with water.
Photo source: Ironman USA Pacific
Aid stations were deemed designated areas for athletes to throw trash, like empty water bottles or wrappers, which volunteers collected. Any litter deposited outside those designated areas along the route would earn athletes a penalty card. Urination in public areas outside of the porta potties were grounds for an athlete’s automatic disqualification. Other bans included no headphones or earbuds, and family and friends were prohibited from participating in the race alongside the athletes.
Some Redding residents enjoyed watching the bicyclists from their porches, such as John Zeis, who posted a photo on social media of race participants literally biking by his front door.
Photo source: John Zeis.
There was no doubt that the event impacted drivers who navigated a maze of road closures and delays. Prior to the event, Caltrans officials recommended that drivers avoid Redding and the surrounding areas Sunday. Even so, Redding Police officers were on hand to issue citations to drivers who ignored temporary traffic modifications that morning, including one-way traffic control on Highway 299 between Oak Bottom and Rock Creek Road from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., and delays that sometimes lasted several minutes.
All in all, despite some residents’ complaints about what they viewed as an inconvenience at best and a bad idea at worst, by most reports, Redding’s first Ironman 70.3 did surprisingly well.
Saturday, before the official Ironman 70.3 Northern California, a children’s race — Ironkids – was held.
Photo source: Ironman USA Pacific.
The awards ceremony was held at 4 p.m. Sunday. Winners of the 2026 Ironman 70.3 Northern California triathlon will be eligible for qualifying slots to the 2027 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship triathlon.
Observations by reporter Jon Lewis
Intrepid reporter Jon Lewis was on the Redding scene of Ironman 70.3. He took advantage of the free RABA shuttle from the downtown passenger facility, which Lewis said was definitely the way to go. He said the atmosphere at the Civic Auditorium grounds was bright and festive with a lot of excitement as the top pros started coming across the finish line.
Photo by Jon Lewis.
Lewis chatted with some people associated with Sam Long, the #1 ranked triathlete who finished third on Sunday in the pro men’s category. Lewis said that Long lives in Tucson, so he said he’s used to the heat. In fact, Long won a race a couple weeks ago in Boise. Long is sponsored by Trek, Oakley, Asics and Zoot (fancy racing attire) among others. Long said he enjoyed the course. His time was 3:43:50, which Lewis noted wasn’t too shabby for a 1.25-mile swim in Whiskeytown, a 56-mile bike ride and a half marathon. Fun facts: Sam is 6-foot-4, and is a triplet.
Grace Alexander was the first woman across the finish line in the pro women category, and she told the crowd that Redding is her new favorite course. Her time was 4:17. She’s a former collegiate swimmer, which Lewis believed was helpful during the first leg of the race.
Lewis described an Ironman village set up with a big store, food trucks, concessions, and a variety of exhibitors, all enjoyed by a good-sized crowd.
Photo courtesy of Jon Lewis.
According to Lewis, some “hearty competitors” were still rolling in on bikes with a 13-mile run waiting for them.
According to Lewis, the 70.3 Ironman event was “quite a feather in the cap for Redding and well worth closing a couple of roads for a few hours.” Although this has not been verified, Lewis heard from several sources that at some point, there were no rooms available in Redding for the weekend.
Lewis said that Redding had previously approved a three-year contract with the Ironman 70.3 operators and organizers, who’ve already announced that next year’s race will be moved to either the spring or fall, which Lewis was certain the athletes would appreciate.
In addition to Redding’s Ironman 70.3, other Ironman 70.3 events took place in California cities La Quinta and Oceanside, as well as in Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii.
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Photo source: Ironman 703 USA Pacific
Top 10 winners: Women
Position/Athlete/Swim/Bike/Run/Overall
1. Grace Alexander 27:51/ 2:19:05/ 1:27:04/ 4:17:02
2. Rebecca Clarke 27:22/ 2:22:09/ 1:25:57/ 4:18:28
3. Clare Dasso 28:37/ 2:21:21/ 1:26:25/ 4:19:02
4. Leah Parker 29:56/ 2:23:34/ 1:23:53/ 4:20:31
5. Emma Skaug 29:50/ 2:19:36/ 1:28:12/ 4:20:32
6. Annamarie Strehlow 32:41/ 2:21:20/ 1:25:03/ 4:22:27
7. Rebecca Kawaoka 32:52/ 2:24:00/ 1:22:34/ 4:22:27
8. Lisa Becharas 32:46/ 2:17:21/ 1:29:30/ 4:22:42
9. Marley Beckett 30:54/ 2:23:08/ 1:26:39/ 4:23:55
10. Marissa Lovell 34:00/ 2:31:50/ 1:17:37/ 4:28:20
Photo source: Ironman 70.3 USA Pacific
Top 10 winners: Men
Position/Athlete/ Swim/Bike/Run/Overall
1. Jason West 26:21/2:02:07/ 1:08:49/ 3:39:23
2. Jackson Laundry 26:36/ 1:58:27/ 1:13:41/ 3:41:13
3. Sam Long 28:42/ 2:00:32/ 1:12:30/ 3:43:50
4. Lionel Sanders 28:44/ 2:00:26/ 1:13:51/ 3:45:35
5. Luke Tasker 28:09/ 2:03:25/ 1:13:48/ 3:48:08
6. Greg Harper 25:41/ 2:08:24/ 1:11:42/ 3:48:18
7. Benjamin Randall 33:13/ 2:05:28/ 1:07:10/ 3:48:48
8. Colin Szuch 28:41/ 2:04:47/ 1:13:18/ 3:49:31
9. Nicholas Chase 28:12/ 2:05:15/ 1:15:50/ 3:51:49
10. Connor Weaver 28:14/ 2:10:44/ 1:11:33/ 3:53:04
Redding said yes to the race
Photo source: Ironman 70.3 USA Pacific.
Last year the city of Redding gave a unanimous green light to proceed with Ironman 70.3.
“We’re excited to bring an IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon to Redding in 2026,” said Tim Brosious, Regional Director for Ironman, in an October 2025 statement.
“Redding is a gateway to adventure, with its iconic trails, lakes, and bridges. The city’s commitment to outdoor recreation and its welcoming community make it a perfect fit for an IRONMAN 70.3 event in this unique area of the country. We look forward to showcasing everything that makes Redding and Northern California a spectacular place to visit and race in.”
Likewise, in October then-interim Redding City Manager Steve Bade was equally as effusive about the prospect of Redding hosting the huge triathlon.
“Bringing IRONMAN 70.3 Northern California to Redding is more than just hosting a world-class athletic event — it’s a powerful affirmation of our city’s momentum,” said Steve Bade, former interim Redding City Manager.
“Redding is ready to showcase our riverfront, our trail systems, and our exceptional hospitality on a global stage. We’re proud to welcome athletes, families, and fans from around the world.”
The Redding City Council voted unanimously (5-0) to approve the Ironman 70.3 in Redding. According to the City’s website, a key deciding factor to approve the event was a financial commitment from tourism promotion organization Choose Redding Lodging, that agreed to pay the city $630,500 between 2026 and 2028 to cover the municipal services and staff time required to host the race, mitigating financial risks for taxpayers.
The initial agreement secured Redding as the official Ironman 70.3 host city for a consecutive three-year term, spanning through 2028.
That gives athletes a chance to start training now.
See you next year, Ironman 79.3, hopefully in the fall or spring. Anytime is fine, except summer in Redding.
Editor’s note: Reporter Jon Lewis contributed to this story.
