Panama City Beach Gears Up for the 25th Anniversary IRONMAN

PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL - The 2023 Panama City Beach IRONMAN Florida triathlon, a prestigious event in the VinFast IRONMAN North America Series, is set to make a triumphant return to Panama City Beach, marking its 25th anniversary. As the event unfolds, there are important road closures in place, aimed at ensuring the safety of both athletes and motorists. To navigate these closures and anticipate possible traffic disruptions, a comprehensive guide to the race courses can be found at https://www.ironman.com/im-florida . Be prepared for traffic delays, especially on Saturday, November 4, when runners and bikers take to the roads. Several key road segments, including South Pier Park Drive, L.C. Hilton Avenue, Sea Monkey Way, Longboard Way, and West Park Drive, will remain closed until 10 a.m. on Sunday, November 5. Additionally, the run course will necessitate road closures on Saturday, affecting South Thomas Drive, Thomas Drive, Joan Avenue, and Front Beach Road. Motorists should anticipate significant traffic delays along the bicycle portion of the route.

Approximately 2,300 registered athletes, hailing from all 50 states and 60 countries, are geared up for the 25th edition of the Visit Panama City Beach IRONMAN triathlon. This event, which made its debut in 1999, has proudly secured its status as the longest consecutively running full-distance IRONMAN event in North America.

The excitement of the race weekend began on Wednesday, November 1, with athlete check-in taking place at IRONMAN Village, located at Aaron Bessant Park. On Saturday, November 4, athletes will embark on their IRONMAN journey, commencing with a grueling 2.4-mile swim in the Gulf of Mexico, circumnavigating the Russell-Fields Pier. Following the swim, participants will transition to their bicycles for a challenging 112-mile ride through the picturesque intercoastal waterways, leading them into the Pine Log State Forest. The final leg of the race comprises a 26.2-mile two-lap run, along Front Beach Road, culminating in a thrilling finish inside Panama City Beach's Pier Park, where enthusiastic spectators will cheer them on.

The festivities include a welcome ceremony at 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 2nd, at Aaron Bessant Park. The pro race will kick off at 6:40 a.m. on Saturday, November 4, from the Russell-Fields City Pier, with athletes from various age groups plunging into the Gulf waters at 6:50 a.m. The first triumphant finisher is anticipated to cross the finish line around 2:15 p.m., while the race will officially conclude at approximately midnight.

The 2023 edition of the Visit Panama City Beach IRONMAN Florida triathlon promises to showcase a remarkable assembly of professional athletes converging on Florida's scenic Panhandle. These elite athletes will vie for a combined professional prize purse of $100,000. Among the distinguished participants are some of the world's finest, including names like Magnus Ditlev (DNK), Rudy Von Berg (USA), Denis Chevrot (FRA), Skye Moench (USA), Jen Annett (CAN), and Giorgia Priarone (ITA), all eager to clinch a late-season title and enhance their athletic achievements. For comprehensive details about the professional athletes taking part in the Visit Panama City Beach IRONMAN Florida triathlon, visit www.ironman.com/pro-athletes .