IRONMAN Santa Rosa Benefits Local Economy
The bigtop has been raised, the stage is set – IRONMAN Village has returned to Courthouse Square. Yes, it’s race week in Sonoma County as some 2,250 athletes are set to compete in the IRONMAN Santa Rosa triathlon on Saturday, May 12. Whether you’re participating, spectating, or have business in the area, you’ll want to view the detours and road closure map to chart your best course. While some area motorists may be somewhat inconvenienced, the event’s economic impact suggests the difficulties may be well worth it.
More than 10,000 visitors are expected to bring millions of dollars to the local economy during race week. The triathlon, which covers 140.6 miles of Sonoma County, has a featured role in the event as the athletes swim, bike and run along the course; it promotes the area to potential visitors around the world, organizers say, but it also brings valuable revenues as participants and their families fill Santa Rosa area hotels, dine a local restaurants, shop at stores, enjoy wineries and breweries, and inspired others to get more involved with the increasingly popular outdoor endurance sport.
“The immediate economic impact of this event is substantial, but the long-term opportunities it provides go far beyond the boost that comes during race week,” said Brad Calkins, Executive Director of Visit Santa Rosa. “This event generates more media exposure than any event we host here, and the stories and images that are shared help reveal the amazing dynamics of our people and our landscapes.”
IRONMAN Santa Rosa is produced by a partnership between the City of Santa Rosa, Visit Santa Rosa and the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber.