MUNCIE, Ind. — Muncie is getting ready to welcome thousands of visitors next weekend for the IRONMAN triathlon.
City officials anticipate roughly 3,500 athletes and their supporters — upwards of 9,000 people total — in Muncie over the course of the Sept. 30-Oct. 2 weekend, according to a release.
The triathletes can compete in the 70.3-mile race, which Muncie has hosted for years, or the full 140.6-mile IRONMAN triathlon, which was added this year in Muncie after COVID-19 restrictions canceled many of the 2020 races (including Muncie's). Those canceled races last year resulted in established full-distance triathlons scheduled across the United States and Canada in 2021 being completely sold out, prompting organizers to add a full race in Muncie.