updated 10/16
Dear IRONMAN Florida Athletes:
Due to the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Michael on Panama City Beach and surrounding Bay County, IRONMAN and our local partners have concluded that it will not be feasible to host IRONMAN Florida in its usual location this year. All resources in Panama City Beach and Bay County are rightly focused on public safety and the significant recovery efforts required.
The 20th edition of IRONMAN Florida will, despite Hurricane Michael, proceed. We are pleased to inform you that the race will take place on Sunday, November 4 in Haines City, Florida, which is between Orlando and Tampa, and is the popular venue for IRONMAN 70.3 Florida.
A venue change so soon before a race is significant for all involved; however, given the circumstances, this is the best option for athletes to compete in an IRONMAN event in the same region and on the same weekend as originally scheduled. Please be mindful that our work is happening in real time so it will take a number of days for us to be able to answer many of your more detailed questions.
IRONMAN is grateful that Haines City and surrounding Polk County have agreed to host IRONMAN Florida this year to help support Panama City Beach, Bay County, and IRONMAN. We would like to thank Polk County Sports Marketing and Haines City who have hosted the IRONMAN 70.3 Florida event for the past seven years and have been supportive of our emergency plans for IRONMAN Florida.
“Our hearts go out to all who were impacted by Hurricane Michael,” said Morris West, Haines City’s Mayor. “We are pleased that IRONMAN decided to bring this great event to Haines City.”
IRONMAN Florida will follow the IRONMAN 70.3 Florida course with certain modifications necessary to hold a full distance IRONMAN event. Details of the course, accommodation options and general information on the race will be provided in the coming days.
“We are saddened by damage to our longstanding partners in Panama City Beach and Bay County, agree that they need to focus on the immediate needs of their community, and look forward to supporting them in their recovery efforts at an appropriate time.” said Andrew Messick, President and Chief Executive Officer of IRONMAN. “Our team is working to deliver an exceptional race experience on the same weekend, and we are grateful for the responsiveness and flexibility of Polk County and Haines City in making this event a reality for our athletes.”
Athletes who have previously registered for IRONMAN Florida in Panama City Beach will be automatically registered for IRONMAN Florida in Haines City. No action is required.
The IRONMAN Foundation has also launched a Humanitarian Relief Effort campaign to raise funds in response to Hurricane Michael in Panama City Beach. As part of the campaign, the IRONMAN Foundation has pledged $50,000 to support local recovery efforts and will match all donations received by IRONMAN Florida race weekend, up to $100,000. Join us in supporting the Hurricane Michael Humanitarian Relief efforts in three different ways: 1) Make a donation; 2) Buy a custom Humanitarian Relief T-Shirt to support recovery efforts; and 3) Volunteer for a local service project which will be held in May of 2019, providing hands-on rebuilding assistance as our friends in this area look to recover during this difficult time. More Foundation fundraising activities for Panama City Beach and Bay County will be announced in the coming days.
For full details on the IRONMAN Foundation Michael Relief Effort and how to donate, purchase t-shirts or volunteer, visit www.ironmanfoundation.org/relief
Please continue to check the IRONMAN Florida Facebook page and the event website for regular updates. A revised schedule of events, course maps, and other pertinent information will be posted as soon as it is available this week. Athletes with questions can reach out to florida@ironman.com.
Thank you for your understanding, and please keep the community of Panama City Beach and Bay County in your thoughts over the coming days and weeks.
IRONMAN
Dear IRONMAN Florida Athletes:
Due to the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Michael on Panama City Beach and surrounding Bay County, IRONMAN and our local partners have concluded that it will not be feasible to host IRONMAN Florida in its usual location this year. All resources in Panama City Beach and Bay County are rightly focused on public safety and the significant recovery efforts required.
The 20th edition of IRONMAN Florida will, despite Hurricane Michael, proceed. We are pleased to inform you that the race will take place on Sunday, November 4 in Haines City, Florida, which is between Orlando and Tampa, and is the popular venue for IRONMAN 70.3 Florida.
A venue change so soon before a race is significant for all involved; however, given the circumstances, this is the best option for athletes to compete in an IRONMAN event in the same region and on the same weekend as originally scheduled. Please be mindful that our work is happening in real time so it will take a number of days for us to be able to answer many of your more detailed questions.
IRONMAN is grateful that Haines City and surrounding Polk County have agreed to host IRONMAN Florida this year to help support Panama City Beach, Bay County, and IRONMAN. We would like to thank Polk County Sports Marketing and Haines City who have hosted the IRONMAN 70.3 Florida event for the past seven years and have been supportive of our emergency plans for IRONMAN Florida.
“Our hearts go out to all who were impacted by Hurricane Michael,” said Morris West, Haines City’s Mayor. “We are pleased that IRONMAN decided to bring this great event to Haines City.”
IRONMAN Florida will follow the IRONMAN 70.3 Florida course with certain modifications necessary to hold a full distance IRONMAN event. Details of the course, accommodation options and general information on the race will be provided in the coming days.
“We are saddened by damage to our longstanding partners in Panama City Beach and Bay County, agree that they need to focus on the immediate needs of their community, and look forward to supporting them in their recovery efforts at an appropriate time.” said Andrew Messick, President and Chief Executive Officer of IRONMAN. “Our team is working to deliver an exceptional race experience on the same weekend, and we are grateful for the responsiveness and flexibility of Polk County and Haines City in making this event a reality for our athletes.”
Athletes who have previously registered for IRONMAN Florida in Panama City Beach will be automatically registered for IRONMAN Florida in Haines City. No action is required.
The IRONMAN Foundation has also launched a Humanitarian Relief Effort campaign to raise funds in response to Hurricane Michael in Panama City Beach. As part of the campaign, the IRONMAN Foundation has pledged $50,000 to support local recovery efforts and will match all donations received by IRONMAN Florida race weekend, up to $100,000. Join us in supporting the Hurricane Michael Humanitarian Relief efforts in three different ways: 1) Make a donation; 2) Buy a custom Humanitarian Relief T-Shirt to support recovery efforts; and 3) Volunteer for a local service project which will be held in May of 2019, providing hands-on rebuilding assistance as our friends in this area look to recover during this difficult time. More Foundation fundraising activities for Panama City Beach and Bay County will be announced in the coming days.
For full details on the IRONMAN Foundation Michael Relief Effort and how to donate, purchase t-shirts or volunteer, visit www.ironmanfoundation.org/relief
Please continue to check the IRONMAN Florida Facebook page and the event website for regular updates. A revised schedule of events, course maps, and other pertinent information will be posted as soon as it is available this week. Athletes with questions can reach out to florida@ironman.com.
Thank you for your understanding, and please keep the community of Panama City Beach and Bay County in your thoughts over the coming days and weeks.
IRONMAN