The Ironman Group have announced their first race in the state of Alaska in the Juneau area. The race, covering 140.6 miles, will begin with a two-loop swim at Auke Lake. Ironman athletes will then head north using the Glacier Highway with a two-loop biking course.
“Hosting an Ironman event in Alaska has never been done before and we are beyond excited to partner with Travel Juneau to showcase the unbelievable destination that Juneau is,” said Dave Christen, regional director for The Ironman Group. “This world-class host city will demonstrate to the Ironman community a truly Alaskan experience at every turn.”
“The city expects 1,300 to 1,600 competitors,” Mayor Beth Weldon says in an interview. The city will also provide transportation, medical support, and will assist in making sure the roads are safe for competition.
Included in the announcement was local artist Crystal Worl who was commissioned by the Ironman Group to create the one-of-a-kind logo featuring Alaska. Worl, who owns the Trickster Company in Juneau, took inspiration from local symbols for the art-piece.
“I am thrilled to share Tlingit art and cultural values on Áak’w Ḵwáan territory. The salmon symbolizes the strength, resilience, and endurance it takes for the journey home to spawn. It is this salmon that brings nitrogen and nutrients from the deep ocean to our land, which has enabled our land to become as lush and green as it is! It is with great honor I am able to create the Ironman logo for my hometown Juneau.”
“Travel Juneau is thrilled to welcome Ironman to our community,” said Travel Juneau President and CEO Liz Perry. “We have a physically active, adventurous population and a surprising number of community groups in the running, trail running and cycling worlds. With over 250 miles of trails, combined with our mild coastal climate and the stunning Tongass National Forest, Alaska’s capital city is a terrific destination for Ironman. We look forward to working with Ironman, our hospitality partners, and the city and borough of Juneau to make the 2022 competition a success.”
