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Ironman appears to be done in Louisville

2020 event cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic

Ironman sent out a release today announcing that Ironman Louisville “cannot take place in 2020 and will not return in 2021.”

“With the health and safety of our community being an utmost priority, and based on the direction and recommendations of public health agencies and local authorities in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ironman Louisville presented by Norton Sports Health triathlon, originally scheduled for October 11 cannot take place in 2020 and will not return in 2021,” the announcement read. “Ironman officials are working to determine options for possible future Ironman and Ironman 70.3 event locations in Kentucky.”

The first Ironman Louisville event took place in 2007 and saw a last-minute change to the swim course due to currents in the Ohio River. Athletes seemed to enjoy the mostly-downstream swim, which became a mainstay of the race. In 2015, the same year the city announced a contract extension with Ironman, the race date moved from August to October to “provide athletes with more comfortable air and water temperatures,” Ironman CEO Andrew Messick said at the time.

The event’s finish line at Fourth Street Live! was considered one of the most energetic in the sport.

Last year’s race saw the swim portion cancelled due to toxic algal blooms in the Ohio River.

This year’s race would have included qualifying slots for the 2021 Ironman World Championship.