IRONMAN will host its first event in the state of Illinois with the IRONMAN 70.3 Rockford-Illinois triathlon set for 2025-27. The triathlon is scheduled to debut on Sunday, June 22, 2025, with a swim, bike and run course that will take athletes through Rockford and the countryside north of the city.
Located in northern Illinois, IRONMAN notes that Rockford offers a unique blend of outdoor recreation, culture and history that make it the perfect venue for a new midwestern IRONMAN 70.3 event. General registration opens on July 1, 2024.
“We are excited to bring this new IRONMAN 70.3 event to this unique and beautiful city in northern Illinois in 2025,” said Eric Atnip, Race Director for the IRONMAN 70.3 Rockford-Illinois triathlon.
“Rockford has shown itself to be an appealing midwestern destination city with an abundance of outdoor recreation. We are excited to partner with GoRockford to offer this exciting new option on the North American IRONMAN 70.3 Series circuit for our many dedicated athletes and new ones excited to race in Illinois. We can’t wait for athletes to come experience this welcoming community and see what makes Rockford so special.”
John Groh, President/CEO of GoRockford, the city’s destination marketing organization, said “IRONMAN 70.3 athletes push themselves to continually improve, to be better each day, to not settle for less than their personal best. The city of Rockford is like that, too.
“Rockford is a city on the move and gaining speed all the time. We’re thrilled to partner with IRONMAN and look forward to welcoming their athletes and fans to our city.”
Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara added“I am thrilled another internationally recognized company sees the value and draw of Rockford. Companies like Hard Rock International, the Chicago Blackhawks and now IRONMAN are choosing our community for major events and investments. This speaks volumes about Rockford’s strength, appeal and reputation as a prime destination. IRONMAN, welcome to Rockford.”
Nicknamed ‘The Forest City’, Rockford is a mid-sized city situated on the banks of the Rock River in northern Illinois. Rockford boasts a sports history, cultural scene, and architecturally distinct buildings and neighbourhoods in a natural setting with abundant parks, nature preserves and four recreational rivers that run through the area.
A 60-minute drive west of Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, and approximately 90 minutes from downtown Chicago and Milwaukee and an hour south of Madison, Rockford offers an opportunity to escape city life when athletes are looking for opens roads to run and bike or open space to relax.
“The IRONMAN 70.3 Rockford-Illinois triathlon is a fantastic addition to our state’s sports tourism industry, bringing a significant boost to the Rockford community and its local businesses,” said Daniel Thomas, deputy director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Office of Tourism.
“This prestigious race was made possible by DCEO’s Tourism Incentive Grant Program which aims to attract new out-of-state events to Illinois to increase tourism and highlight the state as a top sports travel destination. We look forward to welcoming athletes and visitors from around the world to experience the charm and outdoor recreation that Rockford offers.”
The IRONMAN 70.3 Rockford-Illinois triathlon will kick off with a fast 1.2-mile swim in the Rock River that runs north to south through the centre of downtown Rockford. Athletes will enter the water near The Rock Guardians of Rockford, a popular public sculpture by Terese Agnew of four ‘Rockmen’ standing guard over the city.
Once out of the water, athletes will transition to the 56-mile single loop bike course that heads through and north of Rockford. Athletes will be treated to the rolling hills and scenic farmland in the surrounding area while also passing through the quaint village of Rockton.
The 13.1-mile run course will take runners from the transition area at Davis Park on a two-loop journey on the east and west banks of the Rock River. Athletes can expect river views, park greenways and scenic neighbourhoods on their way to a finish line in downtown Rockford just a couple of blocks away from transition.
The 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 Rockford-Illinois triathlon will offer qualifying slots to the 2025 VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship race in Marbella, Spain.
