Ironman Texas To Return To The Woodlands

Published July 19, 2016 12:22PM

Ironman announced today that the Memorial Hermann Ironman Texas triathlon will return to The Woodlands for 2017 and be designated as the Ironman North American Championship for the third consecutive year. In addition, the event will now take place on April 22, 2017, shifting from its traditional date in mid-May. The race’s future was in question after some political drama and weather altered the 2016 course, ultimately leaving athletes with a 94-mile bike ride.

“We are pleased to be able to continue our relationship with Montgomery and Harris Counties and keep this event in The Woodlands and surrounding areas,” said Shane Facteau, Chief Operations Officer for Ironman. “We have always believed that this is a great location for a championship event and the new agreement will allow us to uphold the highest of standards that our athletes deserve. At the same time, the change to April establishes a cooler race date in which both professional and amateur triathletes can now compete in an early season event in North America.”

The Memorial Hermann Ironman North American Championship Texas triathlon will lead athletes along a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run throughout The Woodlands and its surrounding areas. The point-to-point swim takes place in Lake Woodlands, where athletes enter the water at North Shore Park and swim toward South Shore Park. The new bike course will then take competitors through Montgomery and Harris Counties, utilizing the flat and fast Hardy Toll Road. Athletes then enjoy a triple-loop run entirely within The Woodlands that concludes with a spectacular finish on Waterway Avenue.

“We are thrilled to have Ironman return to the Woodlands after finalizing and approving a route that includes a new bike course,” said Montgomery County Commissioner James Noack. “This event means a lot to our community and we look forward to hosting athletes from around the globe for a seventh year as they fulfill their Ironman dreams here in The Woodlands, Texas.”

“It is great to be partnering with Ironman as title sponsor of the Ironman North American Championship once again in The Woodlands,” said Wayne Fraleigh, Vice President of Operations of Ambulatory Services for Memorial Hermann. “We would like to thank the Montgomery and Harris County leaders, along with Ironman for making this race happen. It is an event not only enjoyed by the athletes but by the community as well.”

An automatic bid to the 2017 Ironman World Championship will be on the line as all professional winners of each Ironman Regional Championship race will receive automatic qualification to the Ironman World Championship held in Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i on Oct. 14. The Memorial Hermann Ironman North American Championship Texas triathlon will also offer a $150,000 total prize purse distributed among the top ten male and female professional finishers.

In addition to a competitive professional field, the race is expected to draw approximately 3,000 registered age-group athletes. The race will offer 75 coveted age-group qualifying slots to the 2017 Ironman World Championship.

General registration for Memorial Hermann Ironman North American Championship Texas will open on Wednesday, July 27 at Ironman.com/texas.