JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—The global IRONMAN triathlon series is expanding its footprint in Florida with a new full-distance race set to take place in Jacksonville next spring, race organizers announced Wednesday.
The inaugural IRONMAN Jacksonville triathlon is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2026. The course will guide athletes through a scenic and urban route spanning Duval and Nassau counties, showcasing downtown Jacksonville and the surrounding areas. General registration for the race opens Sept. 22 at ironman.com
“Jacksonville’s southern charm, welcoming community, and beautiful weather offer the perfect location to bring a new IRONMAN event early in the year,” says Todd Fitzgerald, regional director for IRONMAN. “Its urban feel and miles of beautiful roads will provide athletes another unique racing experience in the Sunshine State.”
The event is being launched in partnership with Visit Jacksonville, the city’s tourism bureau, and is expected to draw athletes from across the country and around the world.
“I look forward to welcoming the IRONMAN community to Jacksonville and to sharing our city’s warmth, energy, and hospitality on the international stage,” says mayor of the City of Jacksonville Donna Degan. “Hosting an event of IRONMAN’s caliber will provide transformative benefits to our community—generating significant economic impact, increasing Jacksonville’s global visibility, and inspiring residents of all ages to embrace active and healthy lifestyles.”
The 2026 IRONMAN Jacksonville triathlon will begin with a 2.4-mile swim in the St. Johns River, which flows through downtown Jacksonville. Athletes will then take on a flat, 112-mile bike course that loops through downtown, heads out along historic Kings Road, crosses the Trout River, and ventures into neighboring Nassau County before returning for a second loop.
The final leg includes a three-loop, 26.2-mile run through downtown Jacksonville and along Riverside Avenue. The course features Jacksonville’s Riverwalk and a crossing of the iconic Main Street Bridge, with the race finishing beneath the city skyline on E. Independent Drive.
The event will offer qualifying slots for the 2026 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. For more information, visit ironman.com/races/im-jacksonville.
