Hoping to mark the end of a frustrating year of event cancellations, race weekend activities for the 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 Texas will officially begin on Friday, April 9 – with athlete check-in at the Moody Gardens West Parking Lot. On Sunday, April 11, athletes will begin their IRONMAN 70.3-mile journey.
Based on the island city of Galveston, Texas, athletes begin their day with a protected, saltwater swim, a 56-mile journey on a one-loop bike course along the Texas Gulf Coast and a three-loop run that is ‘fast and flat’.
Friday, April 9
13:00 – 19:00 – IRONMAN Village open
Athlete check-in is by appointment only at Moody Gardens West Parking Lot. Athletes will have assigned check-in times and only athletes will be allowed in these areas.
Saturday, April 10
08:00 – 18:00 – IRONMAN Village open
Athlete check-in continues by appointment only at Moody Gardens. VIP Credential pick up will also be inside the IRONMAN Village at Moody Gardens West Parking Lot.
Media will enter through the general public line, be administered a temperature check and required to answer the same pre-race health questionnaire as the athletes and volunteers. Media are required to wear a face covering at all times.
Sunday, April 11
05:00 – 06:45 – transition area open
06:45 – race starts
Approx. 10:30 a.m. – First finisher expected at the finish line
Approx. 5:00 p.m. – Race Ends (*8.5 hours after the last athlete enters the water)
Safe Return to Racing
IRONMAN has developed a series of comprehensive Safe Return to Racing operating principles prepared in accordance with industry standards for open air mass participation sporting events.
These operating principles have been designed to allow for events like the 2021 IRONMAN 70.3 Texas to be organized in a manner consistent with local community objectives and expectations set by public health entities as it relates to contagion risk mitigation of COVID-19.
- Enhanced Hygiene: Hand sanitizer, hand washing stations, and disinfectant wipes will be readily available around our venues. Cleaning of common venue areas will be enhanced. Staff and volunteers will be provided with face coverings and will be required to wear the face covering properly at all times around the event venue. Disposable gloves to be used by staff and volunteers in all applicable areas. Athletes will be provided with face coverings at packet pickup and will be required to wear a face covering around all event venues.
- Screening and Education: Appropriate personal health, personal hygiene and safe support education and training will be provided for staff and volunteers in necessary functional areas. This includes the expansion of the IRONMAN Smart Program, which provides Volunteer Smart guidelines for volunteers. Athletes and volunteers will be required to answer a pre-race health questionnaire. Additionally, in the registration/expo venue on Saturday, no-touch body temperature screening will be instituted. Individuals with a body temperature of greater than 100.4º Fahrenheit or 38º Celsius will not be allowed to race, volunteer or work.
- Density Reduction: We will institute measures to increase space for athletes and supporting personnel in areas such as swim start, transition, and finish line. Modification or elimination of non-essential race services and functions, such as awards ceremonies and banquets will be modified or eliminated.
- Touchpoint Minimization: We will reduce or remove touchpoints and points of interaction between staff, athletes, and volunteers without compromising event safety and security, through redesign and reconfiguration of event village areas as well as racecourse zones such as aid stations.
- Athlete Self-Reliance: Through the Athlete Smart program, athletes will be empowered to determine their individual level of self-reliance to further minimize interaction and touch points with race officials and volunteers. Athletes will be encouraged to carry nutrition and hydration while utilizing items such as hydration vests.
www.ironman.com/im703-texas
www.ironman.com/return-tips
