Ironman World Championship – Race Week – Friday

Race week festivities continue with Bike and Gear Check-in. The long-awaited Ironman World Championship is now less than 12 hours away. Rest up and see you all tomorrow.

Race week festivities concluded today with bike and gear check-in and final event build out before race day for the 2021 IRONMAN World Championship in St. George, Utah. After a much anticipated two-year-plus wait, the countdown is less than 12 hours from the world’s most iconic single-day endurance event taking place on Saturday, May 7.

Gear Check-in

Excitement filled the air as athletes began to rack their bikes and check in their gear in preparation for race day. With race day just hours away, participants exchange discussions with their fellow athletes of projected split times, tips for nutrition to get them to the finish line, and overall expectations for the race as they put the finishing touches on their preparation for Saturday morning’s race.

Athletes, including 2014 IRONMAN World Champion Sebastian Kienle – who stopped to take pictures with fans – enter transition for bike check-in at the 2021 IRONMAN World Championship presented at Sand Hollow State Park Reservoir.

There’s always time for one extra selfie for the ‘gram. Photo: Tom Pennington/Getty Images for IRONMAN

Sebastian Kienle of Germany poses for photos with fans while preparing his bike in the transition area. Photo: Tom Pennington/Getty Images for IRONMAN

Photo: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images for IRONMAN

Lauren Parker arrives in the swim transition while checking in her handcycle. Photo: Tom Pennington/Getty Images for IRONMAN

Lauren Parker is set to not only take on tomorrow’s race as part of the handcycle division but also the October 2022 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawai`i and October 2022 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship back in St. George.

Pre-Race Build-Out

The IRONMAN operations crew work non-stop to ensure build out of venues is ready for athletes and spectators in advance of Saturday’s race. The final touches are being put on the two transitions in addition to the sight that all athletes will look forward to on Saturday – the finishing chute and finish arch. With a truly unique look and feel, the IRONMAN World Championship finish line Arch is a sight to behold as more than 3,000 registered athletes pour everything they have into reaching it after their 140.6-mile journey.