Just got this email. Anyone think it will end up being cancelled later?
When we began the 2020 racing season, the IRONMAN triathlon community along with our host city partners were excited for what was shaping up to be a great year of racing ahead with more events and event locations than ever before.
The world, however, has since endured drastic and unprecedented impacts from the global COVID-19 pandemic that has created many uncertainties with conditions and circumstances seemingly evolving daily. While the majority of the of the 2020 North American IRONMAN Series has been impacted, as of today, September 4, the 2020 Visit Panama City Beach IRONMAN Florida and Visit Panama City Beach IRONMAN 70.3 Gulf Coast triathlons remains on the calendar as planned for November 7.
We would, however like to share an important change as the IRONMAN Athlete Village, transition and the finish line will now move to Pier Park, which is approximately five miles from the previous location of the Boardwalk Beach Resort. Updated course maps will be shared on the event website once available.
The health and well-being of our community is our primary concern and we have and will remain connected with our local health and public authorities as the race date nears to ensure we can put on a safe and positive race experience that you and our race communities expect and deserve. We are committed to conducting races in a way that reduces risk for athletes, volunteers, and host communities and will continue to utilize our Safe Return to Racing event guidelines, a series of comprehensive operating principles prepared in accordance with industry standards for open air endurance sporting events. Our teams have been building race plans with the very best in the industry and will continue their work with respective stakeholders to follow guidelines and recommendations in a manner consistent with each of IRONMAN’s local community objectives and within the expectations set by public health entities around the world as they relate to the impacts of COVID-19.
The decision to proceed, modify or postpone an event will be based on availability of community resources and ongoing event-specific risk assessment in coordination with the relevant healthcare and government authorities and the IRONMAN Global Medical Advisory Board, an independent medical advisory board focused on health and safety at events, who is engaged with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and other relevant institutions regarding risk assessment and mitigation. Should any event changes be necessary, they will be communicated as soon as possible.
We are committed to bringing you the best event experience and appreciate your patience and understanding during this highly dynamic time.
Visit Panama City Beach President and CEO Dan Rowe:
“This year has been a challenging year for all events, but we are confident in IRONMAN and their established safety protocols. Every year we are amazed by the dedication and determination of these athletes and we are looking forward to welcoming back athletes for a well-run and safely administered sporting event.
“We have been honored to welcome athletes from all over the world who have raced in IRONMAN events hosted in our beautiful destination, and we are thrilled to invite those athletes back for the 2020 Visit Panama City Beach IRONMAN 70.3 Gulf Coast triathlon and 2020 Visit Panama City Beach IRONMAN Florida triathlon. With perfect beach weather and beautiful coastal scenery, we have undoubtably become the premier sports destination of the South, and we hope to give both new and returning athletes a safe, exciting and memorable experience racing on the Gulf Coast.”
Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at the races once again.
The IRONMAN Team
When we began the 2020 racing season, the IRONMAN triathlon community along with our host city partners were excited for what was shaping up to be a great year of racing ahead with more events and event locations than ever before.
The world, however, has since endured drastic and unprecedented impacts from the global COVID-19 pandemic that has created many uncertainties with conditions and circumstances seemingly evolving daily. While the majority of the of the 2020 North American IRONMAN Series has been impacted, as of today, September 4, the 2020 Visit Panama City Beach IRONMAN Florida and Visit Panama City Beach IRONMAN 70.3 Gulf Coast triathlons remains on the calendar as planned for November 7.
We would, however like to share an important change as the IRONMAN Athlete Village, transition and the finish line will now move to Pier Park, which is approximately five miles from the previous location of the Boardwalk Beach Resort. Updated course maps will be shared on the event website once available.
The health and well-being of our community is our primary concern and we have and will remain connected with our local health and public authorities as the race date nears to ensure we can put on a safe and positive race experience that you and our race communities expect and deserve. We are committed to conducting races in a way that reduces risk for athletes, volunteers, and host communities and will continue to utilize our Safe Return to Racing event guidelines, a series of comprehensive operating principles prepared in accordance with industry standards for open air endurance sporting events. Our teams have been building race plans with the very best in the industry and will continue their work with respective stakeholders to follow guidelines and recommendations in a manner consistent with each of IRONMAN’s local community objectives and within the expectations set by public health entities around the world as they relate to the impacts of COVID-19.
The decision to proceed, modify or postpone an event will be based on availability of community resources and ongoing event-specific risk assessment in coordination with the relevant healthcare and government authorities and the IRONMAN Global Medical Advisory Board, an independent medical advisory board focused on health and safety at events, who is engaged with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and other relevant institutions regarding risk assessment and mitigation. Should any event changes be necessary, they will be communicated as soon as possible.
We are committed to bringing you the best event experience and appreciate your patience and understanding during this highly dynamic time.
Visit Panama City Beach President and CEO Dan Rowe:
“This year has been a challenging year for all events, but we are confident in IRONMAN and their established safety protocols. Every year we are amazed by the dedication and determination of these athletes and we are looking forward to welcoming back athletes for a well-run and safely administered sporting event.
“We have been honored to welcome athletes from all over the world who have raced in IRONMAN events hosted in our beautiful destination, and we are thrilled to invite those athletes back for the 2020 Visit Panama City Beach IRONMAN 70.3 Gulf Coast triathlon and 2020 Visit Panama City Beach IRONMAN Florida triathlon. With perfect beach weather and beautiful coastal scenery, we have undoubtably become the premier sports destination of the South, and we hope to give both new and returning athletes a safe, exciting and memorable experience racing on the Gulf Coast.”
Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at the races once again.
The IRONMAN Team
